Court Suspends Release of GMO Mosquitoes in Cayman Islands

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Court Suspends Release of GMO Mosquitoes in Cayman Islands

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands — Jul 18, 2016, 5:43 PM ET

A plan to fight the mosquito that spreads Zika and other illnesses by releasing genetically modified versions of the insect in the Cayman Islands has been put on hold following a court challenge.

The Cayman mosquito control unit was going to start releasing GMO mosquitoes produced by British biotech firm Oxitec last week. A government statement announced the delay Monday.

Arguments are expected Tuesday on whether to extend a temporary injunction until a court can conduct a formal review of the project sought by opponents.

Plans call for releasing millions of modified male mosquitoes of the species Aedes aegypti. Males don't bite but would mate with females and produce offspring that die before reaching adulthood. Opponents say they have not been given enough information on any potential risks.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/court-suspends-release-gmo-mosquitoes-cayman-islands-40678802

[ZombieHorde]

1. An interesting story. Thanks for sharing. nt

[mike_c]

2. "Opponents say they have not been given enough information on any potential risks."

What risks do they imagine there might be? And why does the court validate their imaginations?

Sterile male release is a successful and ecologically benign pest control method. For example, it has virtually eradicated the screwworm-- a former livestock scourge-- from North America. Male mosquitoes are not disease vectors and it's hard to imagine any reason for opposing release of sterile males, or males who all convey a lethal mutation to their offspring, which is effectively identical to sterility, i.e. offspring cannot survive to become disease vectors. What risks do the opponents want more information about? I cannot think of any real risks at all. This would have been a win for everyone if successful, and if not successful it still carries no risk that I can think of.

I mean, compare this proposal to chemical vector control using pesticides, the other most likely method. Chemical control risks impacts up and down food chains, as well as broader ecosystem impacts. Releasing sterile or lethal trait males targets the vector species specifically, and has no non-target impacts. Why would anyone oppose it? It's an an environmentalist's dream for disease vector control.

[skepticscott]

3. Because the anti-science left is determined to promote paralyzing fear

about everything that isn't perfectly understood and everything that hasn't been shown to be 100% safe with 100% certainty.

Before they go to Whole Foods to stock up on herbal supplements.

[mopinko]

5. eggzactly.

i mean, people are dying all over from mosquito borne diseases. bed nets only go so far.

can we drag these people into the 21st century whether they like it or not?

[Warpy]

4. Since it's genetic, it has a chance of persisting

but since offspring die before they mate, it's unlikely that mosquitoes would be completely wiped out from this.

Damn it.

Still, it seems that the release of a cloud of these things in mosquito prone areas at the beginning of the season would go a long way toward reducing everything from dengue to malaria to zika.