This article originally appeared on The Conversation.
This summer, for the first time, genetically modified mosquitoes could be released in the U.S.
On May 1, 2020, the company Oxitec received an experimental use permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to release millions of GM mosquitoes (labeled by Oxitec as OX5034) every week over the next two years in Florida and Texas. Females of this mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, transmit dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika viruses. When these lab-bred GM males are released and mate with wild females, their female offspring die. Continual, large-scale releases of these OX5034 GM males should eventually cause the temporary collapse of a wild population.
However, as vector biologists, geneticists, policy experts and bioethicists, we are concerned that current government oversight and scientific evaluation of GM mosquitoes do not ensure their responsible deployment.
Coral reefs that can withstand rising sea temperatures, American chestnut trees that can survive blight and mosquitoes that cant spread disease are examples of how genetic engineering may transform the natural world.
Genetic engineering offers an unprecedented opportunity for humans to reshape the fundamental structure of the biological world. Yet, as new advances in genetic decoding and gene editing emerge with speed and enthusiasm, the ecological systems they could alter remain enormously complex and understudied.
Recently, no group of organisms has received more attention for genetic modification than mosquitoesto yield inviable offspring or make them unsuitable for disease transmission. These strategies hold considerable potential benefits for the hundreds of millions of people impacted by mosquito-borne diseases each year.
Although the EPA approved the permit for Oxitec, state approval is still required. A previously planned release in the Florida Keys of an earlier version of Oxitecs GM mosquito (OX513) was withdrawn in 2016 after a referendum indicated significant opposition from local residents. Oxitec has field-trialed their GM mosquitoes in Brazil, the Cayman Islands, Malaysia and Panama.
The public forum on Oxitecs recent permit application garnered 31,174 comments opposing release and 56 in support. The EPA considered these during their review process.
However, it is difficult to assess how EPA regulators weighed and considered public comments and how much of the evidence used in final risk determinations was provided solely by the technology developers.
The closed nature of this risk assessment process is concerning to us.
There is a potential bias and conflict of interest when experimental trials and assessments of ecological risk lack political accountability and are performed by, or in close collaboration with, the technology developers.
This scenario becomes more troubling with a for-profit technology company when cost- and risk-benefit analyses comparing GM mosquitoes to other approaches arent being conducted.
Another concern is that risk assessments tend to focus on only a narrow set of biological parameterssuch as the potential for the GM mosquito to transmit disease or the potential of the mosquitoes new proteins to trigger an allergic response in peopleand neglect other important biological, ethical and social considerations.
To address these shortcomings, the Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign convened a Critical Conversation on GM mosquitoes. The discussion involved 35 participants from academic, government and nonprofit organizations from around the world with expertise in mosquito biology, community engagement and risk assessment.
A primary takeaway from this conversation was an urgent need to make regulatory procedures more transparent, comprehensive and protected from biases and conflicts of interest. In short, we believe it is time to reassess risk assessment for GM mosquitoes. Here are some of the key elements we recommend.
First, an official, government-funded registry for GM organisms specifically designed to reproduce in the wild and intended for release in the U.S. would make risk assessments more transparent and accountable. Similar to the U.S. database that lists all human clinical trials, this field trial registry would require all technology developers to disclose intentions to release, information on their GM strategy, scale and location of release and intentions for data collection.
This registry could be presented in a way that protects intellectual property rights, just as therapies entering clinical trials are patent-protected in their registry. The GM organism registry would be updated in real time and made fully available to the public.
Second, a broader set of risks needs to be assessed and an evidence base needs to be generated by third-party researchers. Because each GM mosquito is released into a unique environment, risk assessments and experiments prior to and during trial releases should address local effects on the ecosystem and food webs. They should also probe the disease transmission potential of the mosquitos wild counterparts and ecological competitors, examine evolutionary pressures on disease agents in the mosquito community and track the gene flow between GM and wild mosquitoes.
To identify and assess risks, a commitment of funding is necessary. The U.S. EPAs recent announcement that it would improve general risk assessment analysis for biotechnology products is a good start. But regulatory and funding support for an external advisory committee to review assessments for GM organisms released in the wild is also needed; diverse expertise and local community representation would secure a more fair and comprehensive assessment.
Furthermore, independent researchers and advisers could help guide what data are collected during trials to reduce uncertainty and inform future large-scale releases and risk assessments.
The objective to reduce or even eliminate mosquito-borne disease is laudable. GM mosquitoes could prove to be an important tool in alleviating global health burdens. However, to ensure their success, we believe that regulatory frameworks for open, comprehensive and participatory decision-making are urgently needed.
Written by Brian Allan, Associate Professor of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Chris Stone, Medical Entomologist, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Holly Tuten, Vector Ecologist, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Jennifer Kuzma, Goodnight-NCGSK Distinguished Professor, North Carolina State University; Natalie Kofler, Levenick Resident Scholar in Sustainability, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
See the original post here:
Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Could be Released in Florida and Texas This Summer - The Daily Beast
- Who are We? - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Vilsack targeted for his Pro-GMOs stand - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Call for technology to produce cellulosic ethanol - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Kenyan scientists weigh on GMOs - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Indian researcher makes a case for biotechnology - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Michigan smoothens the way for alternative energy investors - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Link of ethanol use to high food prices questioned - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- EU challenges France on GM Maize - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- POET rolls out cellulosic ethanol plant - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- There’s a bright future for cellulosic ethanol investment - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Cellulosic ethanol can considerably reduce gasoline use by 2030 - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Human Genetic Engineering - Background - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Human Genetic Engineering - History - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Human Genetic Engineering - Methods - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Human Genetic Engineering - Uses - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Human Genetic Engineering - Controversy - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Human Genetic Engineering - In popular culture - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Human genetic engineering - An Introduction - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Human Genetic Engineering - A Very Hot Issue! - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- What are the risks of genetic engineering in humans? (human genetic engineering) - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- What are the benefits of human genetic engineering? (human genetic engineering) - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Genetic Engineering - Ethics and Controversy - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Genetic Engineering Ethics In Science Fiction - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Genetic Engineering Ethics - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Welcome to Pest Control Exterminator Network - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- OMD - Genetic Engineering - August 27th, 2011 [August 27th, 2011]
- X-Ray Spex - Genetic Engineering - August 27th, 2011 [August 27th, 2011]
- Ancient Alien Nephilim, Giants, Mutants, Genetic Engineering, and Hybrids (2-6) - August 28th, 2011 [August 28th, 2011]
- Human-Plant Hybrid (Genetic Engineering at Home) - August 28th, 2011 [August 28th, 2011]
- Ancient Alien Nephilim, Giants, Mutants, Genetic Engineering, and Hybrids (1-6) - August 29th, 2011 [August 29th, 2011]
- 3. Genetic Engineering - August 29th, 2011 [August 29th, 2011]
- Genetic engineering nightmare - August 31st, 2011 [August 31st, 2011]
- Ancient Alien Nephilim, Giants, Mutants, Genetic Engineering, and Hybrids (3-6) - August 31st, 2011 [August 31st, 2011]
- Future of genetic engineering - by Futurist Dr Patrick Dixon. Genetic mutations and genetic disorders. Gene science by conference keynote speaker - September 2nd, 2011 [September 2nd, 2011]
- Genetic engineering: The world's greatest scam? - September 3rd, 2011 [September 3rd, 2011]
- Watch Fed Up! Genetic Engineering, Industrial Agriculture and Sustainable Alternatives Full Movie Online Part 1/15 - September 3rd, 2011 [September 3rd, 2011]
- Ancient Alien Nephilim, Giants, Mutants, Genetic Engineering, and Hybrids (5-6) - September 5th, 2011 [September 5th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering, Humans with Animals. - September 6th, 2011 [September 6th, 2011]
- Is Genetic Engineering Good for the Environment? - September 7th, 2011 [September 7th, 2011]
- Open Source Food and Genetic Engineering - Michael Pollan - September 10th, 2011 [September 10th, 2011]
- Ancient Alien ( demons ) Nephilim Giants, Mutants Genetic Engineering and Hybrids.avi - September 11th, 2011 [September 11th, 2011]
- MUST SEE : Genetic Engineering Corn Grows in Sand ! For Those That Appreciate Nature ! - September 12th, 2011 [September 12th, 2011]
- Designing Humanity - Genetic Engineering - September 14th, 2011 [September 14th, 2011]
- Genetic Modification | QUEEN ANNE SCIENCE CAFE - September 14th, 2011 [September 14th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering in California Agriculture - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering Animation - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Proof Of Ancient Genetic Engineering - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Joad Cressbeckler Fears Genetic Modification Causes 'Wrath-Minded Taters' - September 16th, 2011 [September 16th, 2011]
- Ethical Concerns With Genetic Engineering - September 16th, 2011 [September 16th, 2011]
- Scientists under Attack - Genetic Engineering in the magnetic Field of Money TRAILER - September 17th, 2011 [September 17th, 2011]
- Genetic Modification - September 18th, 2011 [September 18th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering Not a New Science - Pamela Ronald - September 23rd, 2011 [September 23rd, 2011]
- The Island of Dr. Moreau prt. IV - September 28th, 2011 [September 28th, 2011]
- Ancient Alien Nephilim, Giants, Mutants, Genetic Engineering, and Hybrids (4-6) - September 30th, 2011 [September 30th, 2011]
- 4. Genetic Engineering (cont.) - October 2nd, 2011 [October 2nd, 2011]
- Ancient Alien Nephilim, Giants, Mutants, Genetic Engineering, and Hybrids (6-6) - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Islands at Risk (Part 3) - Genetic Engineering in Hawai'i - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Morgellons Is Genetic Engineering , A Silent Superbug - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Islands at Risk (Part 2) - Genetic Engineering in Hawai'i - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- The Ethics of Genetically Engineering Children - Arthur Caplan - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Disney Geneticists Debut New Child Stars - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering and Society, Lecture 1a, Honors Collegium 70A, UCLA - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- OMD - Genetic Engineering (312mm Version) (Audio Only) - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- The difference between normal and genetically modified food - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Bioethics Of Human Genetic Engineering - Documentary Video - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- Islands at Risk (Part 1) - Genetic Engineering in Hawai'i - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- Coast To Coast AM: Genetic Engineering 3-24-2011 Download Link - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- Lloyd Pye - Ancient Genetic Engineering - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- X RAY SPEX - ROUNDHOUSE LONDON GENETIC ENGINEERING - Video - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- OMD - Genetic Engineering 1983 - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- OMD - GENETIC ENGINEERING - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- Mechanism of Recombination - Video - October 15th, 2011 [October 15th, 2011]
- Harvard Prof. Michael Sandel on Human Genetic Modification, Berkeley, CA, 7 May 2007 - Video - October 15th, 2011 [October 15th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering [Medical Ethics Series] - (excerpt) - Video - October 15th, 2011 [October 15th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering and Society, Lecture 1b, Honors Collegium 70A, UCLA - Video - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- Genomics: genetic modification (genetic engineering) and the human gene project - Video - October 26th, 2011 [October 26th, 2011]
- Genetically Engineering Intelligent Babies - Horizon: Are We Still Evolving? Preview - BBC Two - Video - October 27th, 2011 [October 27th, 2011]
- "GENETIC ENGINEERING" GERMAN REGIME feat THIRSTIN HOWL THE3RD - Video - October 28th, 2011 [October 28th, 2011]
- Science 360: Genetic Engineering - Video - October 31st, 2011 [October 31st, 2011]
- UFOTV Presents... - Bad Seed: Danger of Genetically Modified Food - Video - November 8th, 2011 [November 8th, 2011]