Mutant mosquitoes: Malaysia releases genetically modified insects

First-of-its-kind experiment sparks fears of uncontrollable new species

DATELINE ZERO -  Malaysia has released 6,000 genetically modified mosquitoes into a forest in the first experiment of its kind in Asia aimed at curbing dengue fever.

The plan has sparked criticism by some environmentalists, who fear it might have unforeseen consequences, such as the inadvertent creation of uncontrollable mutated mosquitoes in the section of Malaysian forest.

According to the article, “Government authorities have tried to allay the concerns by saying they are conducting small-scale research and will not rush into any widespread release of mosquitoes.”

Feel better? I don’t.

When it comes to people seeking to control nature — whether it’s other human beings, or animals, or any other part of nature — there are always unintended consequences. That’s why the use of force tends to end in disaster.

I like to invoke the the law of unintended consequences. This is a law that states (or cautions, or warns) that the actions of people—and especially of government—always have effects that are unanticipated or “unintended.”

While I realize that this law is one of the basic building blocks of economics, I also think that economics tends to explain far more than the economy; including nature.

Continue reading, from the full post at DATELINE ZERO.