GM Mosquitoes

[cyberpostdoc]

Scientists can now put an extraneous gene into an organism, such technology has been used to create GM Mosquitoes (genetically modified). Research has shown that these GM Mosquitoes, which loss the ability to transfer malaria with the genetic modification, can out-live wild type mosquitoes. Scientists expect to release these GM Mosquitoes and hopefully wipe out wild-types.

This is DANGEROUS! Firstly, we don't know if there is any effect that the new GM Mosquitoes species will do on malaria. Secondly, this is in effect a major step in introducing new genes into nature. We have all tried so hard to autoclave Petri dishes of E.coli with mutations. If we can introduce any gene into nature, what is the point of autoclaving them? A seemingly benefit is not an excuse, because it is by no means complete, and there won't be any complete guarantee of the consequences for introducing genetically modified species into nature.

All those being said, I don't feel too unsafe so far, because I trust nature's ability to adjust. In the end, homo sapiens is just a member of nature.

[LilKim]

is your statemend based on factual evidence... or are you trying to create hysteria?

Could you please provide us with an un-biased reference source?

That could be the start of an interesting dialogue/discussion... once we know the facts.

[ginkisre]

cyberpostdoc seems to have also read the article on the bbc news site:
(i planned to post a link here, but i haven't posted enough yet, so just search "GM mosquito 'could fight malaria' " on the bbc web site)

i don't see any major harm resulting from the possible release of these GM organisms, but this should in no way be seen as some kind of sure-fire quick fix solution.

[Darby]

Here's an interesting discussion of the topic (and an interesting, although sometimes somewhat strident, blog) -

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2007 ... q.php#more