News: Mutant Mosquitoes Fight Dengue Fever In Cayman Islands, Petition Mosquitoes Key West 100,000 Signatures---The petition against the experimental release of genetically modified mosquitoes in Key West has garnered more than 95,000 signatures. In the past 24 hours, more than 10,000 people have signed it.
But if the petition hits its goal of 150,000 signatures, will mosquito officials in the Keys be compelled to give up on their plans? Probably not.
Earlier this summer, we published a cover story on how the experiment would work and why mosquito experts are so keen on the idea. The story featured Mila de Mier, a vocal rabble-rouser who took us into her offices and introduced us to plenty of other Conchs who didn’t want their backyards turned into testing grounds for a British biotech firm.
At the end of May, de Mier’s petition on Change.org had only a few hundred signatures. Interest in the subject has soared recently, likely due to a plethora of news articles from outlets such as Mother Jones, the New Yorker and, of course, New Times. By the end of the day, it’s likely de Mier’s petition will crack 100,000 signatures.
It had said on Thursday by British experts that scientists have released genetically modified mutant mosquitoes in an experiment to fight dengue fever in the Cayman Islands.
According to the 90,000 residents who have signed a petition,if British scientists have their way, mutant mosquitoes will soon destroy the Florida Keys. Well, not exactly. But it’s a possibility, or at least something to to think about.
The genetically-modified mosquitoes are designed to resist the spread of Dengue fever, which is apparently a concern these days in the Keys.
After years of laboratory experiments and hypothetical calculations, it is the first time genetically altered mosquitoes have been set loose in the wild.
But while scientists believe the trial could lead to a breakthrough in stopping the disease, critics argue the mutant mosquitoes might wreak havoc on the environment.
“This test in the Cayman Islands could be a big step forward,’’ said Andrew Read, a professor of biology and entomology at Pennsylvania State University who was not involved in the project. “Anything that could selectively remove insects transmitting really nasty diseases would be very helpful,’’ he said.
Residents of the Florida Keys have not been asked to approve this release despite the fact that they would be potential bite victims given that .5% of the to be released mutants are female (the female mosquito is the one that bites).
Two previous releases of the GE mosquitoes (aedes aegypti) occurred in the Cayman Islands and Malaysia. The Cayman release, performed without residents’ permission, resulted in an 80% drop in the mosquito population compared with neighboring areas that did not have a release.
The success of this release was discussed in a scientific paper in the journal Nature Biotechnology.
Right now, a British company named Oxitec is planning to release genetically modified mosquitoes into the fragile enviroment of the Florida Keys. The company wants to use the Florida Keys as a testing ground for these mutant bugs.
Even though the local community in the Florida Keys has spoken — we even passed an ordinance demanding more testing — Oxitec is trying to use a loophole by applying to the FDA for an “animal bug” patent. This could mean these mutant mosquitoes could be released at any point against the wishes of locals and the scientific community. We need to make sure the FDA does not approve Oxitec’s patent.
Dengue fever has been absent from Key West since 2010, which indicates the current methods of control and public education are working. What’s the rush for this radical approach?
Where is the third-party, peer-reviewed research on effectiveness and safety of GM mosquitoes other than Oxitec’s own claims of success? Don’t let Oxitec bully our community! We say no to genetically modified mosquitoes in the Florida Keys!
But if the petition hits its goal of 150,000 signatures, will mosquito officials in the Keys be compelled to give up on their plans? Probably not.
Earlier this summer, we published a cover story on how the experiment would work and why mosquito experts are so keen on the idea. The story featured Mila de Mier, a vocal rabble-rouser who took us into her offices and introduced us to plenty of other Conchs who didn’t want their backyards turned into testing grounds for a British biotech firm.
At the end of May, de Mier’s petition on Change.org had only a few hundred signatures. Interest in the subject has soared recently, likely due to a plethora of news articles from outlets such as Mother Jones, the New Yorker and, of course, New Times. By the end of the day, it’s likely de Mier’s petition will crack 100,000 signatures.
It had said on Thursday by British experts that scientists have released genetically modified mutant mosquitoes in an experiment to fight dengue fever in the Cayman Islands.
According to the 90,000 residents who have signed a petition,if British scientists have their way, mutant mosquitoes will soon destroy the Florida Keys. Well, not exactly. But it’s a possibility, or at least something to to think about.
The genetically-modified mosquitoes are designed to resist the spread of Dengue fever, which is apparently a concern these days in the Keys.
After years of laboratory experiments and hypothetical calculations, it is the first time genetically altered mosquitoes have been set loose in the wild.
But while scientists believe the trial could lead to a breakthrough in stopping the disease, critics argue the mutant mosquitoes might wreak havoc on the environment.
“This test in the Cayman Islands could be a big step forward,’’ said Andrew Read, a professor of biology and entomology at Pennsylvania State University who was not involved in the project. “Anything that could selectively remove insects transmitting really nasty diseases would be very helpful,’’ he said.
Residents of the Florida Keys have not been asked to approve this release despite the fact that they would be potential bite victims given that .5% of the to be released mutants are female (the female mosquito is the one that bites).
Two previous releases of the GE mosquitoes (aedes aegypti) occurred in the Cayman Islands and Malaysia. The Cayman release, performed without residents’ permission, resulted in an 80% drop in the mosquito population compared with neighboring areas that did not have a release.
The success of this release was discussed in a scientific paper in the journal Nature Biotechnology.
Right now, a British company named Oxitec is planning to release genetically modified mosquitoes into the fragile enviroment of the Florida Keys. The company wants to use the Florida Keys as a testing ground for these mutant bugs.
Even though the local community in the Florida Keys has spoken — we even passed an ordinance demanding more testing — Oxitec is trying to use a loophole by applying to the FDA for an “animal bug” patent. This could mean these mutant mosquitoes could be released at any point against the wishes of locals and the scientific community. We need to make sure the FDA does not approve Oxitec’s patent.
Dengue fever has been absent from Key West since 2010, which indicates the current methods of control and public education are working. What’s the rush for this radical approach?
Where is the third-party, peer-reviewed research on effectiveness and safety of GM mosquitoes other than Oxitec’s own claims of success? Don’t let Oxitec bully our community! We say no to genetically modified mosquitoes in the Florida Keys!
