Frankenmoth; Health Fears over Plans to Release Millions of GM Insects Designed to Destroy Pests; EXCLUSIVE

Byline: Sean Poulter Consumer Affairs Editor

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. 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 …

Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information: Article title: Frankenmoth; Health Fears over Plans to Release Millions of GM Insects Designed to Destroy Pests; EXCLUSIVE. Contributors: Not available. Newspaper title: Daily Mail (London). Publication date: December 15, 2011. Page number: 4. © 2007 Daily Mail. COPYRIGHT 2011 Gale Group.

This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.