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Malaysia Mulls Releasing GM Mosquitoes to Combat Dengue Fever
"If the larvae come into contact with the tetracycline, the chances of the larvae surviving is higher than it dying off," he said.
"We don't know how the genetic flow will be affected. The non-targeted species might be adversely affected and increase the risk of ecological harm."
"We shouldn't take the risk, it is better to play safe," Singh said, adding that current measures to contain dengue outbreaks such as spraying insecticides are still effective if enforcement is beefed up.
The field trial for the GM anti-dengue mosquitoes -- which was developed by a British-based insect bio-tech company, Oxitec -- will be undertaken by the Malaysia's Institute for Medical Research, an agency under the health ministry.
The two groups, through their media firm, declined comment on the trial or respond to the environmental concerns, saying it was inappropriate as their "application is now going through the final stages of regulatory scrutiny".
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry said on its website that the field trial, if approved, would be conducted on two consecutive days and "in strict adherence to requirements" by the National Biosafety Board.
It said the GM mosquitoes proposed for release contain "a fluorescent molecular marker and a self-limiting construct".
A ministry official confirmed the plan to AFP and said that anti-dengue GM mosquitoes had previously been released in a trial in Cayman Islands in the Caribbean.
Dengue infection leads to a sudden onset of fever with severe headaches, muscle and joint pains, and rashes.
The virus has historically been found in tropical regions, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas, but has spread in recent years to colder and higher places and is now endemic in more than 100 countries.
Source-AFP
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More News on: Dengue Fever, Dengue / Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, Mosquito Diseases, Dengue and Homeopathy, Chikungunya and Homeopathy, Febrile Fits / Febrile Convulsions , Chikungunya , Dengue, Genetically Modified Food, Fever
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JEONGCP(Guest)
09/09/2010
"Genetically Modified Made-in-Malaysia Mosquitoes : A First for Malaysian Biotechnology Industry"
The IMR of Malaysia has applied for approval from the National National Safety Board[NSB] to release at least 30,000 genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild at two targeted areas ie The State of Pahang and the UNESCO state of Malacca.
Public objection have been brewing up to disallow the release of these GM mosquitoes into the wild.
Unless more convincing tests are forthcoming -and this is lacking under the current proposed "Emergency Response Plan"and "Risks Assessment" reports provided by IMR as required by the Biosafety Act 2007, there is a need to delay such release pending further credible field-tests.
..................
Jeong Chun phuoc
Lecturer-in-Law
and an advocate in Strategic Environment and Taxation Intelligence(SETI)
He can be contacted at Jeongphu@yahoo.com
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