Oxitec plans to release GM insects in UK and Spain
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Jane Arnold
Aug 1, 2015, 7:57:18 AM8/1/15
to je_a...@yahoo.com
Oxitec has been criticised in the past:
http://www.genewatch.org/article.shtml?als[cid]=569457&als[itemid]=569476
GeneWatch, Friends of the Earth, Third World Network PR: Company conceals evidence
that genetically modified mosquitoes may have high survival rate in wild (12th
January 2012)
C
---------------
http://gmwatch.org/news/latest-news/16321
Oxitec plans to release GM insects in UK and Spain
Published: 27 July 2015
Scientists, NGOs condemn the plans
The British biotech company Oxitec continues its reckless projects
involving releasing GM insects – now it plans to release them in the UK
and Spain.
This approach to so-called insect pest control is misguided, unsafe, and
ignores pest adaptation and evolution. If these programmes reduce the
target pest populations, other species will soon move into the ecological
niche left – and they could be even more destructive.
1. Plan to release genetically modified moths in U.K.
2. UK company plans to release genetically engineered flies in Spain
---------
1. Plan to release genetically modified moths in U.K.
By Tim Sandle
Digital Journal, 26 July 2015
http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/environment/plan-to-release-genetically-modified-moths-in-u-k/article/439359
[links to sources at URL above]
Genetically engineered moths should be released in the U.K. to stop
devastating damage to crops like broccoli and kale, according to a new
report. Since moths damage many crops, the idea is that genetically
altered moths would not cause the same problems.
The premise is based on a study that shows releasing moths which only
produce male offspring, causes population crashes. The report has come
from a company called Oxitec, which is a spin-off from Oxford University.
The reasoning, The Daily Telegraph reports, is based on the outcome of
studies conducted in special greenhouses. These trials have shown that
releasing genetically modified diamondback or cabbage moths leads to the
moth populations to fall rapidly, thus limiting damage from caterpillars.
The data suggests levels of moths can been controlled within eight weeks.
Discussing the plan, Neil Morrison, lead Research Scientist at Oxitec,
stated, “We all share an interest in safe and environmentally friendly
pest control, so this is a very promising tool that could be put to good
use by farmers as part of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for
healthy and sustainable agriculture.”
Oxitec is not only focusing on the U.K. The Natural Society reported last
year that the company put forward proposals to release genetically
modified moths in New York. The argument is the same, to prevent damage to
broccoli and cauliflower fields.
<< snip >>
---------------
2. UK company plans to release genetically engineered flies in Spain
Testbiotech and other NGOs, 27 July 2015
https://www.testbiotech.org/en/node/1319
* Trial puts biodiversity and olive production in the Mediterranean region
at risk
The UK company Oxitec is planning to release genetically engineered olive
flies into the environment in Spain (Catalonia). The insects are
genetically manipulated in such a way that female descendants will die as
larvae feeding inside the olives, while the next generations of male flies
will survive. Oxitec plans to release up to 5000 of these flies per week
in Spain, near the town of Tarragona. The field trial expected to last for
one year will cover a netted area of 1000m2. However, if the flies escape
they can spread without any control. Olive flies are regarded as a species
that spreads rapidly in a suitable habitat. Over time their offspring
might be distributed throughout the Mediterranean region and all the
locations where native populations occur. A broad coalition of mostly
representative organisations from Mediterranean countries such France,
Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain are demanding that any release of these
flies should be banned completely.
The intention of Oxitec is that the male transgenic flies will mate with
the female native flies, and thereby introduce their artificial genes into
the native population. As a result, it is thought that the population of
native olive flies will decrease and eliminate economic damage to olive
production. If the technology goes ahead as planned by Oxitec, it could,
after a long period of time, lead to a reduction of the fly species
population in the areas affected. Biodiversity could be severely
disrupted, with all the various potential consequences and side-effects
for the sensitive balance of the ecosystem, the environment and food
production systems. Additionally, there is a high likelihood that the
artificial genes will end up being permanently present in the native
populations. The Oxitec flies are manipulated with synthetic DNA, which is
a mix of maritime organisms, bacteria, viruses and other insects. While
Oxitec claims their strains were genetically stable in the laboratory,
nobody can predict genetic stability or the ecological behaviour of these
insects once released.
”Releasing genetically engineered insects into the environment is a
dangerous experiment that will effectively turn the whole of Europe into
an open air laboratory. Insects do not respect boundaries and no sterility
is 100% effective. They could escape the test area and if, as with many
experiments, things do not go according to plan, it will be impossible to
shut the experiment down. And any control or withdrawal of the genetically
engineered insects would be impossible, even more so than GE crops,” says
Dr Janet Cotter of the Greenpeace International Science Unit.
Margarida Silva, from Portuguese GM-Free Coalition says, "We must not
tolerate irresponsible experiments that will inevitably translate into
accidental releases of genetically engineered animals into the
environment. With the planetary support systems already under stress, any
further irreversible damage is unacceptable. In addition, no consumer is
interested in eating olives stuffed with dead GM larvae. It's time we
invested in holistic and sustainable crop protection that puts consumers
and farmers on the same page."
Victor Gonzálvez from, SEAE (Sociedad Española para la Agricultura
Ecológica, IFOAM EU member) says, "Spain is the first producer of organic
olive oil worldwide with an extension of 170.000 hectares of arable land.
If in any case, the olives are in contact with the new biotech fly larvae,
organic producers could lose certification and consumer trust in organics
would be undermined. Moreover, the impact on human health is not properly
assessed."
“This technology appears to have the potential to endanger biodiversity,
organic farming and the future of olive production in the Mediterranean
region. We assume this experiment is driven by the interests of Oxitec and
its investors to gain maximum profit from its patented technology,” says
Christoph Then for Testbiotech, ”It is time to give a clear signal that
these organisms should not be released. Nowhere. Never.”
It is not clear if the experiments have yet been authorised by the
national authorities. If so, it would be the first release of genetically
engineered animals in the EU. In 2013, the first application to conduct
field trials in Spain was withdrawn after public protests. The recent
Oxitec application was filed in March 2015. However, it did not appear in
the EU public register before last week. The planned start of the release
is July 2015.
Olive flies are known to cause substantial economic damage to olive
producers. Currently, olive flies are controlled with insecticides, or by
using biological means such as insect traps, sustainable pruning,
irrigation practices or irradiated sterile insects. The negative
socioeconomic impacts of the field trials might be immense. For example,
organic farmers might not be able to avoid their products coming into
contact with these flies, and therefore their food products might then
contain the biotech-larvae. Markets could be lost as a consequence – and
in an extreme scenario, the whole of the harvest in the Mediterranean area
could be affected if consumers reject those products.
Organisations signing, Contacts:
<< snip >>
Further Information:
Oxitec application for trials: http://gmoinfo.jrc.ec.europa.eu/gmo_report.aspx?CurNot=B/ES/15/06
More information on Oxitec technology: www.genewatch.org/sub-566989
Previous media release: www.testbiotech.org/node/875
----------
NOTE - Sources quoted may contain additional information, such as web links
(URLs) or graphics, not replicated above, but otherwise we aim to identify
the original source and quote it accurately. Articles are usually copyright
- for details refer to original source. It should not be assumed that
LABB agrees or disagrees with the content of these news emails, or that any
facts have been checked. We generally let readers judge for themselves
which sources are likely to be accurate, and which may be less so (or
selective). For more information: http://ecoforth.org.uk/gm/
Previous Next
http://www.genewatch.org/article.shtml?als[cid]=569457&als[itemid]=569476
GeneWatch, Friends of the Earth, Third World Network PR: Company conceals evidence
that genetically modified mosquitoes may have high survival rate in wild (12th
January 2012)
C
---------------
http://gmwatch.org/news/latest-news/16321
Oxitec plans to release GM insects in UK and Spain
Published: 27 July 2015
Scientists, NGOs condemn the plans
The British biotech company Oxitec continues its reckless projects
involving releasing GM insects – now it plans to release them in the UK
and Spain.
This approach to so-called insect pest control is misguided, unsafe, and
ignores pest adaptation and evolution. If these programmes reduce the
target pest populations, other species will soon move into the ecological
niche left – and they could be even more destructive.
1. Plan to release genetically modified moths in U.K.
2. UK company plans to release genetically engineered flies in Spain
---------
1. Plan to release genetically modified moths in U.K.
By Tim Sandle
Digital Journal, 26 July 2015
http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/environment/plan-to-release-genetically-modified-moths-in-u-k/article/439359
[links to sources at URL above]
Genetically engineered moths should be released in the U.K. to stop
devastating damage to crops like broccoli and kale, according to a new
report. Since moths damage many crops, the idea is that genetically
altered moths would not cause the same problems.
The premise is based on a study that shows releasing moths which only
produce male offspring, causes population crashes. The report has come
from a company called Oxitec, which is a spin-off from Oxford University.
The reasoning, The Daily Telegraph reports, is based on the outcome of
studies conducted in special greenhouses. These trials have shown that
releasing genetically modified diamondback or cabbage moths leads to the
moth populations to fall rapidly, thus limiting damage from caterpillars.
The data suggests levels of moths can been controlled within eight weeks.
Discussing the plan, Neil Morrison, lead Research Scientist at Oxitec,
stated, “We all share an interest in safe and environmentally friendly
pest control, so this is a very promising tool that could be put to good
use by farmers as part of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for
healthy and sustainable agriculture.”
Oxitec is not only focusing on the U.K. The Natural Society reported last
year that the company put forward proposals to release genetically
modified moths in New York. The argument is the same, to prevent damage to
broccoli and cauliflower fields.
<< snip >>
---------------
2. UK company plans to release genetically engineered flies in Spain
Testbiotech and other NGOs, 27 July 2015
https://www.testbiotech.org/en/node/1319
* Trial puts biodiversity and olive production in the Mediterranean region
at risk
The UK company Oxitec is planning to release genetically engineered olive
flies into the environment in Spain (Catalonia). The insects are
genetically manipulated in such a way that female descendants will die as
larvae feeding inside the olives, while the next generations of male flies
will survive. Oxitec plans to release up to 5000 of these flies per week
in Spain, near the town of Tarragona. The field trial expected to last for
one year will cover a netted area of 1000m2. However, if the flies escape
they can spread without any control. Olive flies are regarded as a species
that spreads rapidly in a suitable habitat. Over time their offspring
might be distributed throughout the Mediterranean region and all the
locations where native populations occur. A broad coalition of mostly
representative organisations from Mediterranean countries such France,
Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain are demanding that any release of these
flies should be banned completely.
The intention of Oxitec is that the male transgenic flies will mate with
the female native flies, and thereby introduce their artificial genes into
the native population. As a result, it is thought that the population of
native olive flies will decrease and eliminate economic damage to olive
production. If the technology goes ahead as planned by Oxitec, it could,
after a long period of time, lead to a reduction of the fly species
population in the areas affected. Biodiversity could be severely
disrupted, with all the various potential consequences and side-effects
for the sensitive balance of the ecosystem, the environment and food
production systems. Additionally, there is a high likelihood that the
artificial genes will end up being permanently present in the native
populations. The Oxitec flies are manipulated with synthetic DNA, which is
a mix of maritime organisms, bacteria, viruses and other insects. While
Oxitec claims their strains were genetically stable in the laboratory,
nobody can predict genetic stability or the ecological behaviour of these
insects once released.
”Releasing genetically engineered insects into the environment is a
dangerous experiment that will effectively turn the whole of Europe into
an open air laboratory. Insects do not respect boundaries and no sterility
is 100% effective. They could escape the test area and if, as with many
experiments, things do not go according to plan, it will be impossible to
shut the experiment down. And any control or withdrawal of the genetically
engineered insects would be impossible, even more so than GE crops,” says
Dr Janet Cotter of the Greenpeace International Science Unit.
Margarida Silva, from Portuguese GM-Free Coalition says, "We must not
tolerate irresponsible experiments that will inevitably translate into
accidental releases of genetically engineered animals into the
environment. With the planetary support systems already under stress, any
further irreversible damage is unacceptable. In addition, no consumer is
interested in eating olives stuffed with dead GM larvae. It's time we
invested in holistic and sustainable crop protection that puts consumers
and farmers on the same page."
Victor Gonzálvez from, SEAE (Sociedad Española para la Agricultura
Ecológica, IFOAM EU member) says, "Spain is the first producer of organic
olive oil worldwide with an extension of 170.000 hectares of arable land.
If in any case, the olives are in contact with the new biotech fly larvae,
organic producers could lose certification and consumer trust in organics
would be undermined. Moreover, the impact on human health is not properly
assessed."
“This technology appears to have the potential to endanger biodiversity,
organic farming and the future of olive production in the Mediterranean
region. We assume this experiment is driven by the interests of Oxitec and
its investors to gain maximum profit from its patented technology,” says
Christoph Then for Testbiotech, ”It is time to give a clear signal that
these organisms should not be released. Nowhere. Never.”
It is not clear if the experiments have yet been authorised by the
national authorities. If so, it would be the first release of genetically
engineered animals in the EU. In 2013, the first application to conduct
field trials in Spain was withdrawn after public protests. The recent
Oxitec application was filed in March 2015. However, it did not appear in
the EU public register before last week. The planned start of the release
is July 2015.
Olive flies are known to cause substantial economic damage to olive
producers. Currently, olive flies are controlled with insecticides, or by
using biological means such as insect traps, sustainable pruning,
irrigation practices or irradiated sterile insects. The negative
socioeconomic impacts of the field trials might be immense. For example,
organic farmers might not be able to avoid their products coming into
contact with these flies, and therefore their food products might then
contain the biotech-larvae. Markets could be lost as a consequence – and
in an extreme scenario, the whole of the harvest in the Mediterranean area
could be affected if consumers reject those products.
Organisations signing, Contacts:
<< snip >>
Further Information:
Oxitec application for trials: http://gmoinfo.jrc.ec.europa.eu/gmo_report.aspx?CurNot=B/ES/15/06
More information on Oxitec technology: www.genewatch.org/sub-566989
Previous media release: www.testbiotech.org/node/875
----------
NOTE - Sources quoted may contain additional information, such as web links
(URLs) or graphics, not replicated above, but otherwise we aim to identify
the original source and quote it accurately. Articles are usually copyright
- for details refer to original source. It should not be assumed that
LABB agrees or disagrees with the content of these news emails, or that any
facts have been checked. We generally let readers judge for themselves
which sources are likely to be accurate, and which may be less so (or
selective). For more information: http://ecoforth.org.uk/gm/
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