Genetic modification of insects is used to create a self-limiting population. It’s a technological successor to the Sterile Insect Technique, in use for over 50 years, in which males are sterilized by radiation. However, radiation can affect many different genes and the ability of the insects to mate. Oxitec, a spin-out of the University of Oxford, has a more precise solution in mind: a single genetic modification that only affects the viability of the offspring.
The company has already carried significant field trials, related to infectious disease control, in Brazil and the United States, with the FDA finding no evidence of negative impact.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: Could GM Insects impact the international trade of Organic Food?
