Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes and Moths Ready to Spread Like Wildfire

By Dr. Joseph Mercola

Guest Writer for Wake Up World

While countries around the globe are still assessing the risks – andexperiencing the environmental backlash – of genetically engineered (GE) plants, biotech companies are moving on to their 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 segment of 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 modified 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 modified 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 year[3] – is intriguing, no one knows the consequences of releasing genetically modified 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.”

CONTINUE READING:

Previous articles by Dr. Joseph Mercola:

• FDA Approves Genetically Engineered Salmon – Here’s What You Need To Know
• Scientific Review Shows Fluoridation Does Not Prevent Cavities
• Scientific Links Between Processed Foods and Depression
• The Aspartame End Game… and What’s Next
• The Surprising Ways in Which Fast Food and its Packaging Harms Your Health
• How Sugar Harms Your Brain Health and Drives Alzheimer’s Epidemic
• The Health Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
• Sleep Loss May Cause Brain Damage and Accelerate Onset of Alzheimer’s, Two New Studies Show
• Can a Hug a Day Keep Infection Away?
• The Fluoride Deception Continues as US Government Ignores Fluoride’s Role as an Endocrine Disruptor
• Magnesium: An Invisible Deficiency That Could Be Harming Your Health

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