Genetically Engineered Insects
Genetically Engineered Insects
Releasing genetically engineered insects into the environment is now a reality in the United States, despite major scientific uncertainties and public concerns.
Once released, genetically engineered insects can reproduce, disperse, and interact with ecosystems in ways that may be difficult to predict or reverse.
Decisions with such serious impacts should be based on caution, strong environmental review, and informed consent from impacted communities — not on the business interests of biotechnology companies looking to sell more products.
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Frequently Asked Questions
GMO mosquitoes are genetically modified mosquitoes whose DNA has been changed in a laboratory to give them specific traits.
Beginning in 2021, federal regulators approved experimental releases of genetically engineered mosquitoes developed by the biotechnology company Oxitec in Florida, followed by approvals for much larger releases in both Florida and California.
The proposed experiments were investigating whether Oxitec’s mosquito could reduce the population of a type of mosquito called Aedes aegypti.
The proposed experiments are investigating whether Oxitec’s mosquito can reduce the population of a type of mosquito called Aedes aegypti. This species can carry diseases like yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya and Zika.
While addressing mosquito borne diseases is clearly a critical issue, these diseases are not a pressing concern in the continental United States. Yellow fever has been eradicated, there have been no reports of zika transmission since 2018 or chikungunya since 2016, and nearly all reported dengue cases are from travelers infected elsewhere.
Using a public health experiment to get approval for releasing genetically engineered insects — despite there being no U.S. public health need — could open the door to using these insects in agriculture, especially given Oxitec’s research pipeline.
To date, Oxitec’s GMO mosquito trials have failed to reduce mosquito populations.
Oxitec has conducted field trials in other countries, from Malaysia to Panama, and there has not been peer reviewed data to show that these trials have successfully reduced mosquito populations.
For example, one peer reviewed study in Brazil found that releasing Oxitec’s GE mosquitoes continuously over two years failed to reduce the wild mosquito population.
Genetic material from GMO mosquitoes could transfer to wild mosquito populations.
Another study found that the GE mosquitoes in Brazil transferred parts of their DNA to wild mosquitoes. Researchers warn that these genetically engineered mosquitoes could be harder to control or better at spreading disease.
Populations of biting mosquitoes could increase in the communities where GMO mosquitoes are released.
Oxitec’s trial application states that female offspring — which bite and spread disease — will die while still in their larval stage. But females have been inadvertently released in previous Oxitec’s experiments, and a reported 3 to 4% survive in laboratory conditions. Because of the very large numbers of GE mosquitoes proposed to the EPA for release (up to 30,000 mosquitoes per acre, per week), even a small percentage of surviving female GE mosquitoes could lead to an increased biting mosquito population in the communities where GE mosquitoes are released.
GMO mosquitoes could expose people to new allergens.
Oxitec’s GE mosquito could expose people to novel allergens. Yet Oxitec blacked out information about the potential to cause an allergic reaction and other important data as “confidential” in its 2021 proposal to the EPA.
Assessments of potential harm to endangered species are insufficient.
During releases of GE mosquitoes, species that feed on adult Aedes aegpti could have an increased proportion in their diets. Oxitec’s GE mosquito uses a synthetic protein called tTAV (tetracycline transactivator). Research shows that, when engineered into mice, tTAV can result in neurotoxicity, behavioral abnormalities and adverse effects on the lungs.
There are no known feeding trials examining the potential impacts of consuming GE mosquitoes on birds, mammals, reptiles or amphibians. Biting female GE mosquitoes may inject this novel engineered protein into humans and other animals
There is a major lack of transparency around GMO mosquitoes.
The risks of this experiment and new technology should be reviewed openly, not behind closed doors. Independent experts should review the available data, and people living in areas where genetically engineered mosquitoes may be released should have the right to give informed consent and help shape decisions that affect them.
Instead, Oxitec’s process has lacked transparency. Its 2021 proposal to the EPA withheld significant data as “confidential,” making it difficult for independent experts to fully assess the risks. Neither Oxitec nor the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District has released data from the 2020 trials.
There is a lack of adequate regulation around GMO insects.
The EPA is approving these experiments even though there are no state or federal rules specifically for assessing, monitoring, or evaluating genetically engineered insects. Instead, the GE mosquitoes are regulated as “pesticides” under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). When FIFRA was written in 1910 and last significantly revised more than 50 years ago, no one could have anticipated genetically engineered insects being released into the wild.
Oxitec’s public health and endangered species assessments were inadequate, and the monitoring requirements may not be strong enough to detect escaped female GE mosquitoes.
This is an open-air genetic experiment.
Once genetically engineered mosquitoes are released into the environment, they cannot be taken back. Instead of rushing ahead with an experiment that could have serious impacts on public health and the environment, we need strong regulations based on caution, independent expert review, input from affected communities, and transparency about the potential risks.
Yes.
There are already more effective mosquito abatement techniques that cost less and have been peer reviewed by independent scientists. Trials with the Wolbachia mosquitoes, and public sanitation techniques pioneered over 100 years ago appear to be effectively reducing Aedes aegypti populations.
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