|
|
|
|
|
TITLE: Genetically Engineered "Frankenbugs" Pose Threat of Irreversible Biological Pollution |
AUTHOR: |
ORG: Greenpeace |
DATE: January 26, 2001 |
|
Greenpeace urged a global ban on the release of genetically engineered insects, following today's Wall Street Journal report that U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists and other researchers are poised to begin field experiments of genetically engineered "Frankenbugs." While proponents of genetic engineering claim these altered insects will solve pest and medical problems, Greenpeace cautioned that unanswered questions about this radical new technology could lead to unexpected side-effects that could devastate the environment and threaten human health. Insects are being engineered to cause fatal abnormalities in crop pests or to be flying syringes that vaccinate people with every bite. Yet once released into the environment, the unintended side effects, or "biological pollution" from genetically engineered insects could lead to even greater problems than those they are intended to resolve. For example, the delivery of vaccines by altered insects could not be controlled, leading to harmful or even deadly adverse reactions in sensitive people. GE insects once released cannot be recalled, nor can their further development and mutations be controlled. Many insect pests are known to have spread globally through international trade and tourism. "It's outrageous that government agencies that can't even keep genetically contaminated corn out of our food are considering releasing these experimental bugs," said Greenpeace Genetic Engineering Specialist Charles Margulis. "Any release of genetically engineered insects is inherently a global release and must therefore be dealt with by the international community." Vaccines can have severe side effects, and are thus administered under medical supervision, to control dosage and monitor for adverse reactions. With insects injecting vaccines routinely, such medical oversight would be impossible. Just this month, scientists reported that when they attempted to develop a vaccine by genetic engineering, they accidentally developed a deadly bioweapon instead. Experiences with medfly (The Mediterranean fruit fly), a serious crop pest, show that insect infestations cannot be contained within national boundaries. Medfly originated in tropical West Africa and was unknown in the U.S. before 1929, when it was discovered in Florida. Today, farmers in California fear Medfly infestations more than almost any other pest, and control efforts require massive pesticide spraying. "Every exterminator can tell these genetic tinkerers how difficult it is to eliminate troublesome insects even from a single house," said Charles Margulis. "Given the potential for massive and irreversible global environmental and health consequences, governments must take scientific precautions and ban the release of any genetically engineered insects." CONTACT: Charles Margulis, (202) 258-3029 (mobile); Craig Culp, Greenpeace Media, (202) 319-2461, (202) 251-6296 (mobile), www.greenpeaceusa.org END |