GE Diamondback Moth to the Rescue?

UK-based biotechnology company, Oxitec, genetically engineers creepy crawlers, including the yellow fever mosquito.  Now another genetically engineered insect, the GE diamondback moth, is joining their buggy lineup.

GMO Diamondback Moth

A cage field trial of Oxitec’s diamondback moth at Cornell University.
Original photo here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/11/20/this-tiny-moth-is-stirring-up-the-gmo-debate-in-new-york/

Through a Cornell University project in New York state, Oxitec is field-testing a genetically engineered version of the diamondback moth. The moth is considered a global pest to agriculture, in particular to plants in the genus Brassica, including broccoli, brussel sprouts and cauliflower. Oxitec is hoping to use its GE version of the moth to combat natural pest populations without the need for insecticides.

Each year, the moth causes an estimated $4 billion to $5 billion in damages, according to Anthony Shelton, a professor of entomology at Cornell University, who’s leading the field trials. The moth is frequently controlled with broad-spectrum pesticides, which have been associated with a host of negative environmental impacts. In particular, the use of pesticides in the U.S. has been hotly debated in recent years because of their potential to harm important pollinators, such as honeybees.

Yes, we’re all for less pesticides…but how would it work?

The genetically engineered moths include a special gene that causes female young to die before reaching adulthood, meaning eventually the females die out and the population can no longer reproduce. So when the GE moths are released into the field, “they mate with the pest counterparts,” said Neil Morrison, Oxitec’s lead diamondback moth research scientist. “And they control the population that way.”

Sounds sci-fi doesn’t it? But this is real, and, of course, there are certain organizations, including the Northeast Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) who oppose Oxitec’s plans. For starters, there are concerns the GE moths could spread beyond their trial sites and begin appearing on private growers’ farms. And there are other concerns.

Liana Hoodes, policy adviser said NOFA-NY would like to see an impact analysis on the possible effects of GE moths on non-target species — that is, organisms besides diamondback moths — in case they happen to be eaten by birds or other animals or even accidentally consumed by humans.

But Morrison, Oxitec’s lead diamondback moth research scientist, insists “there’s no mechanisms of harm identified” when it comes to the insect’s impact on humans or the environment, which is in keeping with the USDA’s environmental assessment.

Though this seems to be another case of feigning certainty in an uncertain situation, at least both sides of the debate have emphasized a need for open dialogue.

“Our interest in having open, honest, transparent dialogue about anything is sincere, and we invite anyone to get in touch with us at any time,” said Creese, of Oxitec. “I think that collaborative feedback is what’s going to help us move forward as a global society in terms of tackling these issues.”

Well, that’s a refreshing stance, anyway.

To read more, visit:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/11/20/this-tiny-moth-is-stirring-up-the-gmo-debate-in-new-york/

Author: renezimbelman

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