Tag: Oxitec
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
75,000 GM mosquitoes destroyed
(CNS): A batch of genetically engineered mosquitoes reared specifically for release yesterday have been destroyed. A last minute application to the court by a group of local activists managed to put a temporary stop on the planned release of the GM Aedes aegypti bio-engineered by the UK-based company, Oxitec, in partnership with the Mosquito Research and […]
Activists delay planned release of GM mosquitoes
(CNS): A group of local activists in West Bay who are opposed to the planned release of genetically modified mosquitoes in the district have managed to delay the start of the project which was due to get underway Thursday. The group aimed to highlight concerns about the failure to properly consult the public and the […]
GM mosquito release to begin next week
(CNS): Officials from the Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU) have confirmed that the release of genetically modified mosquitoes will begin in West Bay next Thursday. The controversial project to try to eradicate the Aedes aegypti mosquito using sterile males bio-engineered by the UK-based firm, Oxitec, has met with some community opposition but the government […]
Scientists hit back at anti-GM mosquito claims
(CNS): As suspicions continue about the planned release of millions of genetically modified mosquitoes in a pilot project aimed at eradicating the invasive, disease-spreading Aedes aegypti, the MRCU and their partners in the project, the UK-based bio-technology firm Oxitec, have insisted the release is safe and that the recent adverts taken out by those opposing the project in the […]
Petition launched to stop release of GM mosquitoes
(CNS): A group of concerned Caymanians has launched an online petition calling for the suspension of the planned release in West Bay of genetically modified mosquitoes. The group believes Caymanians are being used as “lab rats” in the pilot project by the UK-based bio-technology firm Oxitec. The Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU) has partnered […]
Oxitec to release 200,000 GM mosquitoes weekly
(CNS): The bio-technology firm which is beginning a mosquito population reduction programme in West Bay next month has revealed that as many as 200,000 genetically engineered insects will be released each week over the life of the project. Over the next few months, as many as 4 million, mostly male, Oxitec GM Aedes aegypti mosquitoes […]
Activists in US raise alarm over GM mosquitoes
(CNS): Just as bio-scientists are releasing tens of thousands of genetically engineered Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Grand Cayman as part of a project to try and eliminate them, a group comprising public health, food safety and environmental activists in Florida is raising the alarm about the modified insects created by Oxitec. The Center for Food […]
