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Sharing this email, just received from Dr. Mercola:
By Dr. Mercola
While countries around the globe are still mulling the risks – and experiencing the environmental backlash – of genetically engineered (GE) plants, biotech companies are moving on to the next targets – insects.
The latest science project, courtesy of researchers from the University of California, is mosquitoes genetically engineered to stop the spread of malaria. In theory, the idea sounds promising, at least on the surface.
‘We Could Unleash Monsters’
The researchers injected Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes with a new DNA code that makes them resistant to the parasite that causes malaria. Further, a controversial “gene drive” technique was used that allows the “frankenbugs” to pass their resistant genes onto their offspring.
In a recent study, 99.5 percent of the GE mosquitoes’ offspring carried the malaria-blocking genes.1 If the mutant mosquitoes are released into the wild, thereby mating with wild populations, their GE DNA would pass freely onto their offspring.
The researchers believe this could theoretically stop mosquitoes from transmitting malaria to humans and ultimately eliminate malaria.
Some experts believe we’re only 10 to 15 years away from releasing these GE mosquitoes into the environment, where their GE DNA “could spread through a wild population like wildfire.”2
But at what expense? While the notion of wiping out malaria – a disease that kills nearly half a million people every year3 – is intriguing, no one knows the consequences of releasing GE DNA into the wild. As The Washington Post put it:4
“What’s scarier? Tinkering with mosquito DNA, or malaria? … Without proper caution, some scientists warn, gene drives could deliver ecological disaster. Without the right consideration, we could unleash monsters.”
To read rest of article:
Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes Ready to Spread Like Wildfire
To sign petition:
https://www.change.org/p/say-no-to-genetically-modified-mosquitoes-release-in-the-florida-keys
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