Indonesian state won’t release GE mosquitos to fight disease

The Malacca government does not intend to release “genetically modified organism” (GMO) mosquitoes to control Aedes although the state recorded a significant increase in dengue cases.

Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said the effectiveness of the method had yet to be fully tested and in addition, it was feared the new method could have a negative effect if implemented.

“We have no problem regarding the cost of its implementation. It’s just that we fear if the mosquitoes are released, the situation may not improve, but instead worsen,” he told reporters after opening a briefing on the introduction of the green technology to school heads in the state here today.

He said this when asked to comment if the Malacca government was prepared to implement the project to release the GMO mosquitoes although the federal government had postponed the implementation due to the high cost involved and the fact that its effectiveness had yet to be tested.

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Yesterday, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said the proposal to release the GMO mosquitoes in four selected states involved a total cost of RM100 million.

Read the full, original story: Malacca won’t release GMO mosquitoes