Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Unleashed -- Concerns Grow
Mike Barrett
Activist Post
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Translation by Autumnson Blog
剛過去的星期日研究人員宣佈初步成功，有關在環境中釋放轉基因蚊子，旨在為了達到成年之前殺害它們自己的後代。第一批蚊子釋放2009年發生在加勒比地區的開曼群島。10月27日星期日，該釋放在一篇由自然生物技術的雜誌的科學論文中討論，報告結論了釋放的”成功。
The study involved about 19,000 genetically modified mosquitoes which were released in the Grand Cayman Islands over a 25-acre area for four weeks. To evaluate the effects concerning the mosquitoes and their impact on the overall mosquito population, researchers set traps to capture the mosquitoes for larvae analysis. According to the study, genetically modified mosquitoes made up 16 percent of the whole male mosquito population in the test zone, with the lethal gene present in 10 percent of the larvae analyzed.
該項研究涉及約 19,000隻轉基因蚊子，他們被釋放在大開曼島群島超過 25畝的地區為四星期。評估關於蚊子和其在整體蚊子種群的影響，研究人員設置陷阱來捕捉蚊子作幼蟲分析。根據研究，在試驗區基因改造蚊佔整個雄性蚊子人口的16％，與致死基因存在於10％的分析幼蟲中。
The mosquitoes are genetically modified with a gene designed to kill them unless given an antibiotic known as tetracycline. Offspring of the GM mosquitoes will receive this same lethal gene which will kill the offspring before it can ever reach adulthood. As more genetically modified mosquitoes mate with wild mosquitoes, the idea is that more and more offspring will be produced with the lethal gene, thereby reducing the mosquito population.
蚊子被基因改造以一種基因旨在要殺死它們，除非被給予一種抗生素名為四環素。轉基因蚊子的後代將收到這種相同的致命基因，那將會殺死後代才可以達到成年。隨著越來越多的轉基因蚊子與野生蚊子交配，想法是越來越多的後代將產生致命基因，從而減少蚊子繁殖。
Oxitec, the British company responsible for the creation of the genetically modified mosquitoes, created this internally manipulated insect to help control agricultural pests and reduce insect-borne diseases like dengue fever and malaria. They received about $24 million from investors for their mosquito science project. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation contributed to Oxitec’s goal, as the foundation funded genetically modified mosquitoes back in 2010. In fact, the actions taken by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have been contributing to genetic modification for years.
The problem with the release of these genetically modified mosquitoes is that we have no idea what effects they could have on the environment as a whole as well as public health. Once these creatures are released, it is impossible to un-release them. The last thing this world needs is more genetically manipulated animals and crops.
Supporters of genetic modification have no idea of the long-term repercussions this often profit-driven practice holds for the future. Genetically modified crops have been shown time and time again to pose serious health risk. A study published back in 2009 showed that three Monsanto genetically modified corn varieties posed real health risk. Another study conducted in April of 2010 found that genetically modified soy was linked to sterility and infant mortality. Cardinal Peter Turkson, a prominent member of the Vatican , even spoke out against genetically modified crops and deemed them a “new form of slavery”.
Who are we to manipulate nature? The truth is that we have no idea what the future holds for genetic modification and the potential impacts it has on the environment and public health. Genetically modified food isn’t even labeled, and people all around the world are growing serious concerns about consuming such foods. We know that the genetically modified mosquitoes are equipped with a lethal gene designed to lower the mosquito population, but what does that really mean for humans?
We simply do not know the potential outcomes that could arise from such God-playing. As for present day genetic modification, all signs show that so far all we are doing is killing the food supply.
http://www.activistpost.com/2011/11/genetically-modified-mosquitoes.html
嚇親人：轉基因蚊子去年已被釋放野生
馬來西亞放出6,000隻轉基因蚊子到野外
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