I REFER to recent articles and letters in your newspaper with reference to plans by scientists of the Health Ministry’s Institute for Medical Research to conduct field trials in Pulau Ketam using transgenic mosquitoes as a means to control and possibly eradicate dengue and chikakunya in the country.

I can understand the appre-hension of environmentalists and others with regard to this new technique. It is natural that any technique that is new or not fully understood will initially face obstacles. In view of mounting pressure from certain local non-governmental organisations known to be linked to international anti-GMO (genetically modified organism) groups, the ministry seems to have taken a somewhat backward step with regard to the field trials. As a biologist I am saddened at this latest development, although I welcome the views and concerns expressed by some of the NGOs with regard to the trials.

We should take note that there is also a risk from not doing something new. Controlling mosquito populations by attacking them at their genetic level took place more than 50 years ago, so what has been proposed by the local scientists is not something new. It is just an extension of the technique which is now popularly referred to as biotechnology.

Annual deaths from dengue, chikakunya, malaria, yellow fever, the Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases are on the rise in many parts of the world and are surely going to worsen with the effects of global warming. Malaysia is no exception.

The traditional strategy of fighting mosquito-borne diseases with pesticides has several drawbacks, although it is inexpensive. Pesticides do not specifically target mosquitoes and it is impossible to kill all the mosquitoes in an area without killing other potentially beneficial insects – which could negatively affect the entire ecosystem. As the use of pesticides continues, mosquitoes will continue to develop a resistance to them.

As such the proposal to release genetically manipulated mosquitoes, specifically targeting an area in which the mosquito species is endemic, is surely a better way to attack mosquitoes and diseases. The technique of releasing transgenic mosquitoes is not only going to save thousands of lives in this part of the region, but millions more yearly when the technique is adopted globally.

I therefore appeal to the ministry to keep an open mind on this subject and not be influenced by some NGOs which are more keen on slowing us down with scattergun comments on the subject. The claim that there is a risk of transgenic mosquitoes transferring their genes to humans and other creatures has not been proven. If it is true that these mosquitoes can transfer their genes to humans, then all of us must by now be carrying mosquito genes. I cannot recall anyone claiming he has not been bitten by mosquitoes.

Having said that, I wish to recom-mend that the authorities concerned conduct a national level discussion and study on the issue. They should look into developing risk assessment protocols for evaluating potential risk assessment methods prior to the permanent release of transgenic mosquitoes or other creatures into the environment.

This study group should ideally include evolutionary biologists, conservationists, ecologists, entomologists, sociologists, psychologists, ethicists, economists, and the public. Since there is a possibility of these transgenic insects readily moving out off their release sites, it is highly recommended that international risk assessment protocols be in place. This will ensure countries that conduct such trials with or without foreign funding have adequate resources and experts to conduct risk evaluations.

Biologist
Kuala Lumpur

Source: The Sun – July 21, 2008