Tuesday July 8, 2008
Other ways to fight dengue
A FEW months back, we learnt that our Health Ministry’s Institute of Medical Research (IMR), in collaboration with an overseas biotechnology company known as Oxitec Ltd, planned to conduct field trials in Malaysia using transgenic mosquitoes, also known as “terminator” mosquitoes or genetically-modified (GM) mosquitoes.
When the plan was reported, concerns were already raised that releasing these transgenic mosquitoes could affect the ecosystem and cause further damage. Subsequently, the plan did not go through.
However, the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) is concerned that the use of these terminator mosquitoes within the Malaysian environment is still being considered in spite of objections.
According to the original plan, millions of these GM mosquitoes were to be released into the fishing village of Pulau Ketam, just off Selangor, as part of an international series of field trials to fight dengue fever. This follows the reported success of confined laboratory trials conducted under the supervision of the IMR over the past year.
The technique involved using the transgenic male Aedes mosquitoes carrying a “killer” gene to mate with female mosquitoes in the wild. Apparently, this will result in almost all of the offspring being killed off.
Two well-known scientists, Prof Joe Cummins and Dr Mae-Wan Ho, have come out with a write-up describing how a key gene confers the dominant killer trait in the transgenic male mosquito.
However, the information presently available does not really provide information on what is killing the target animals or organisms. According to the views of experts, the killing toxin in the mosquito should be identified before release to the environment is contemplated.
There are alternatives, including biological controls, which can check mosquito populations, and in turn, check the spread of dengue infections and other diseases.
These alternatives include plant extracts, essential oils and biological larvicides.
Rather than resorting to measures with the potential for grave consequences, CAP calls on the Health Ministry to focus on preventive practices that can be more effective, safer and less costly.
S.M. MOHAMED IDRIS,
President,
Consumers Association of Penang.
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