The Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and UK-based Oxitec last month announced they created Oxitec Australia, a partnership dedicated to fighting the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue, Zika and yellow fever.
The joint venture will release genetically engineered male mosquitos that carry a self-limiting gene which would ensure only non-biting males are kept alive and released into the wild. It will use its "biological solution," including its "Friendly™ platform," and said that this process will reduce pest female mosquitos and the overall population.
Oxitec's CEO, Grey Frandsen, said it would like to release the mosquitos in the Torres Straight where local aboriginals have been consulted.
"In collaboration with Indigenous communities, leading scientific institutions, industry partners and farmers, we’re committed to transforming how pest threats to health, food security and ecosystems are addressed," he said. "In doing so, we aim to not only protect lives, livelihoods and biodiversity, but also empower Indigenous communities to take the lead in addressing their pest challenges."
Per Noticer, "Oxitec received a $1,415,894 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2020, and has carried out genetically engineered mosquito field trials in Brazil, Malaysia, Panama, and the United States."
The outlet also states that "Dengue deaths are extremely rare in Australia."
Independent Queensland senator Gerard Rennick stated on Sunday that the license application for this technology should be rejected by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. “Given there is next to no dengue fever in Australia this proposed trial is completely unnecessary and risky,” he said. “I will follow up as to why the OGTR are even considering this.”
