For almost 20 years, scientists have been working on 'gene drive' technology to eradicate malaria and prevent the yearly death-toll of over 400k people world-wide (most of them children). Up until now, they have argued that mosquitos could be genetically modified to become weapons against the fatal disease. These new mosquitos would mate with existing mosquitos and change the genetic makeup of the offspring, with female mosquitos dying before reaching maturity. This is important because female mosquitos bite humans and spread disease.
Promonent scientists in 'Target Malaria' (an initiatve to halt the disease based at Imperial College London), Autin Burt and Andrea Cristanti, believed their mutant mosqitos would be released world-wide. Cristanti said, 'I think the only thing that we need to show is its effectiveness in a small, isolated proof of principle example and then I think everybody will want to use it.'
Despite their good intentions, Friends of the Earth referred to their work as 'exterminator technology' and called for a moratorium on gene drives at a UN meeting on biodiversity in 2017. Others have noted that the 'Frankenstein creatures' may pose undetectable threats in nature and may develop unknown pathogens harmful to humans.
In 2021, Oxitec (who employ a team of experts from the US, the UK, Brazil, and a dozen other countries) released modified mosquitoes into the wild in Brazil and Florida. US officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have said the mosquitos won't have an effect on people because they are all male and do not bite people, but the residents close to the area are unsure with many saying the modified mosquitoes could damage the ecosystem and may actually create a super durable, hybrid mosquito that is resilient to repellent. 237,000 people signed a change.org petition against the tests.
According to the Oxitec website, they recieved positive results in Brazil and they are currently conducting a two year field test in Flordia and also plan to release the mosquitoes in Texas.
This new species has been called OX5034, the 2nd generation Friendly™ mosquito technology which carry a self-limiting gene so new female offspring will die before they reach maturity. And because females bite humans, the spread of malaria will be drastically reduced.
Given no-one has enough information about the potential environmental impact or indirect economic impacts, some say they should stop this non-consensual experiment. The CDC noted that it is very premature technology and a lot of questions need to be answered. The head of the Cayman Islands, which recently rejected GMO mosquitoes said, the Mosquitoes will not be a solution for fevers and they pose a risk to human life.
Despite the potential health risks, on 31st May 2022, Oxitec and the Government of Djibouti announced multi-year partnership to fight invasive malaria-transmitting Mosquitoes in the Horn of Africa.
Will Oxitec succeed? Is this a good thing? Is this just a money making venture? Is it harmless or dangerous? Go over to my Gettr account and leave a comment - https://www.gettr.com/user/stevensweeney
For more information, checkout the permit application documents - https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-0274/document
Sources:
https://www.organicconsumers.org/news/billions-ge-mosquitoes-released-health-risks-ignored
https://www.oxitec.com/en/news/oxitec-announces-2022-us-pilot-plans-for-mosquito-technology