THIRD WORLD NETWORK BIOSAFETY INFORMATION SERVICE
Dear Friends and Colleagues
Insufficient Evidence to Support GM Mosquitoes as a Viable Tool to Control Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Technologies for controlling mosquito vectors based on genetic manipulation and the release of genetically modified mosquitoes (GMMs) are gaining ground. A journal article on GMMs cites that concrete epidemiological evidence of their effectiveness, sustainability, and impact on the environment and nontarget species is lacking. There is no reliable ecological evidence on the potential interactions among GMMs, target populations, and other mosquito species populations; and no GMM technology has yet been approved by the WHO Vector Control Advisory Group.
The authors conclude that the lack of studies and reliable information impair the feasibility of using GMMs in real-world conditions. They state that more studies are needed to assess the true effectiveness, risks, and benefits of GMMs. Overall, several lines of evidence must be provided before GMM-based control strategies can be considered in integrated vector management.
Burning questions that need to be addressed are given. Of these, the most urgent questions that should be answered in the next 5-year period include: What would be the impact of releasing millions of GMMs into local ecosystems? How effective are GMMs in suppressing heterogeneous populations of mosquito vectors? How effective are GMMs in suppressing cryptic and hybrid species? How can we best assess the costs of developing, producing and releasing GMMs?
With best wishes,
Third World Network
131 Jalan Macalister
10400 Penang
Malaysia
Email:twn@twnetwork.org
Websites: http://www.twn.my/ and https://biosafety-info.net/
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TRANSGENIC MOSQUITOES – FACT OR FICTION?
by André B.B.Wilke, John C.Beier, Giovanni Benell
Trends in Parasitology
Cell Press Reviews
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2018.02.003
8 March 2018
http://www.cell.com/trends/parasitology/fulltext/S1471-4922(18)30025-4
Abstract
Technologies for controlling mosquito vectors based on genetic manipulation and the release of genetically modified mosquitoes (GMMs) are gaining ground. However, concrete epidemiological evidence of their effectiveness, sustainability, and impact on the environment and nontarget species is lacking; no reliable ecological evidence on the potential interactions among GMMs, target populations, and other mosquito species populations exists; and no GMM technology has yet been approved by the WHO Vector Control Advisory Group. Our opinion is that, although GMMs may be considered a promising control tool, more studies are needed to assess their true effectiveness, risks, and benefits. Overall, several lines of evidence must be provided before GMM-based control strategies can be used under the integrated vector management framework.
Outstanding Questions
What would be the impact of releasing millions of mosquitoes into local ecosystems? What effects would releasing GMMs have on the population dynamics of nontarget vectors in the same area? If a target population is successfully suppressed, will nontarget vectors increase in abundance? If so, how will that affect the overall epidemiology of vector-borne diseases?
How effective are GMMs in suppressing heterogeneous populations of mosquito vectors? Will it be possible to use the same GMM strain on populations of the same species with low gene ?ow? How effective are GMMs in suppressing cryptic and hybrid species?
What security measures would need to be employed in the case of transgene malfunction? What safety measures are required if the transgene stops working? What is the risk of transgene mutation or instability? Can distinct selective pressures affect transgene mutation or instability? What containment measures would need to be deployed in the case of malfunction or partial ?xation of the gene in the target population?
How can we best assess the effects of long-term release of GMMs? Considering the large-scale release of mosquitoes, how would releasing even a fraction of non sterile mosquitoes affect the control effort? How would the large-scale release of mosquitoes impact the effectiveness and safety of releasing GMMs?
How can we best assess the costs/bene?ts of releasing GMMs? How much capital is required to construct a facility for mass rearing and sex-sorting GMMs, and for their transportation to release areas? How will a decrease in the target population affect the costs/bene?ts of mass rearing mosquitoes when fewer mosquitoes are required?
How will GMM-based strategies be integrated into the IVM framework? What other tools could be used in conjunction with GMMs? What plans have been made to inform local populations about GMM release? How can local populations be included in the control efforts?