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Sunday, December 18, 2011

Frankenmoth: Health fears over plans to release millions of GM insects designed to destroy pests

Millions of genetically modified insects designed to destroy food crop pests could be released into the countryside.

The Government is considering plans by a British company for the ‘open release’ of a GM strain of the diamondback moth, which it has developed.

Diamondback moths attack cabbages, broccoli, cauliflowers and similar crops.

The diamondback moth: Targets cabbages and other vegetables and might be released into the countryside to destroy food crop pests

The diamondback moth: Targets cabbages and other vegetables and might be released into the countryside to destroy food crop pests

With the GM strain a lethal gene is inserted into the male of the species so that when they mate with wild females, their offspring die almost immediately, causing the population to crash.

That could lead to increasing crop yields and profits for farmers.

The company involved, Oxitec, is keen to begin trials next year, but it faces opposition from groups who say the untested technology could threaten wildlife and human health.

Read More: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2074319/Frankenmoth-Health-fears-plans-release-millions-GM-insects-designed-destroy-pests.html

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