Tag: genetically modified mosquito
MRCU plans to expand GM mozzie project
(CNS): Following the near year-long trial in West Bay, where genetically modified mosquitoes were released to reduce the population of Aedes aegypti, the MRCU is planning to expand the programme. The project has proved controversial but interim results show a decline of 79% in the pest. Now the modified mosquitoes could be released across the […]
US non-profit backs local anti-GM mosquito campaign
(CNS): As the Mosquito Research and Control Unit begins talks about expanding the release of bio-engineered Aedes aegypti mosquitoes across Grand Cayman, given the emerging success of the controlled project in West Bay, those opposed to the use of GM bugs to control the invasive pests have launched a new campaign. CNS has confirmed that […]
GM project cuts mozzies by over 80%
(CNS): There has been a dramatic fall in the number of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in West Bay, where genetically modified bugs have been released in a pilot project to get as near as possible to eradicating the disease-spreading pest. Over the last six months the MRCU, in partnership with a private UK bio-technology firm, has […]
NGOs query GM mosquito success risk
(CNS) UPDATED 5 Oct, with Oxitec comment: Admissions by Oxitec, the UK company partnering with the Mosquito Research and Control Unit here in Cayman, that the space created by the successful eradication of the Aedes aegypti through the use of its genetically modified insects could pave the way for a second disease-carrying species has some […]
GM mosquito offspring begin to appear in field test
(CNS): The release of hundreds of thousands of genetically modified male mosquitoes is beginning to make its mark on the population of the Aedes aegypti species in the district of West Bay, officials managing the project said after the genetic markers began showing up in insect larvae. Dr Renaud Lacroix, the manager of the Oxitec […]
MRCU on full scale Zika attack
(CNS): The Mosquito Research and Control Unit is carrying out a full-scale attack on the Aedes aegypti in an effort to keep the numbers of the disease-carrying mosquito down and contain the current Zika threat. Dr Bill Petrie, the unit’s director, said there had been an “unprecedented number of requests” for yard spraying, especially in […]
GM mosquito survey claims broad support
(CNS): The results of an island-wide public opinion survey conducted on behalf of UK-based bio-tech firm, Oxitec, last month found that 69% of people who knew about the project to release genetically modified Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were in favour. Almost three weeks after Oxitec scientists and the Mosquito Research and Control Unit began the controversial […]
Premier takes aim at anti-GM activists
(CNS): The Cayman Islands premier has called on the local activists, led by Dwene Ebanks, who challenged the government’s decision to allow the Mosquito Research and Control Unit to release bio-engineered Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to reveal who backed the attempts to stall the project. Taking aim at those involved, Alden McLaughlin said many of those […]
Fourth case of Zika reported in Cayman
(CNS): Public health officials have confirmed that the fourth case of the Zika virus in Cayman was a returning Cayman Islands resident. Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr Samuel Williams-Rodriguez said the female patient was in a country where there has been an outbreak of the virus last month. Her symptoms starting on 14 July […]
20,000 GM mosquitoes released in WB
(CNS): The Mosquito Research and Control Unit wasted no time Thursday morning with the controversial release of genetically modified Aedes aegypti. The planned release was put on hold for two weeks by the court during a judicial review, but after the stay was lifted Tuesday, some 20,000 of the bio-engineered mosquitoes were loose in West […]
To GMO or not to GMO?
MM writes: It is no secret that the bite of a mosquito brings great displeasure – for Pete’s sake, it has ruined my evening walk, I fear leaving my front door open, and walking to my car from my home has become an issue of prepare and dash. Standing outside for more than ten seconds […]
