Groups warn against release of genetically-engineered mosquitoes in Nigeria
Groups warn against release of genetically-engineered mosquitoes in Nigeria
Tags: Africa, Gene drive synthetic, Genetically modified mosquitoes, Genetically modified organisms, Policy, Regulation, Risk and safetyC. Onyesi, Daily Post, 2020.
Over 75 Civil Society Organizations from Nigeria, Africa and the world have condemned moves to open the way for the release of genetically modified mosquitoes in Nigeria.
Their condemnation follows a recent call by the West African Integrated Vector Management Programme and the National Biosafety Management Agency for the fast track the introduction of genetically based vector control methods such as transgenic mosquitoes into Nigeria.
Reacting, the coalition in a statement warned against the introduction of the transgenic mosquitoes, genetically modified vectors or other unproven technologies into Nigeria as such releases would pose serious risks to humans, the nations’ biodiversity and its ecosystem balance.