No plan yet to release GM mosquitoes to fight dengue
The Health Ministry has yet to make a final decision on the release of genetically modified mosquitoes to contain the spread of dengue in the country.
Citing the high cost and doubts over its efficacy, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya, said the project had been put on hold.
Bernama quoted Dr Hilmi as saying today: “The release of the GMO mosquito in Bentong in December 2010 focused on mosquito resistance and how far it can fly.”
In Brazil last month, the authorities began a two-year trial, releasing Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that have been genetically modified. The move coincided with the start of the World Cup.
The new breed of Aedes aegypti was developed by the British company Oxitec, which has also proposed releasing the GM mosquito in four states in Malaysia at a cost of RM100 million.
Dr Hilmi said the number of dengue cases continued to rise, with up to 90% occupancy rates in government hospitals, especially in Penang and Selangor. – July 13, 2014.
