The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment recently announced the first stage approval for the release of GM mosquitoes in Bentong.

Malaysians must object to the release for the following reasons:

1) There has been no concrete and independent scientific data to indicate that the release of GM mosquitoes would reduce the incidence of dengue fever. Surely in the absence of clear scientific data in support of the release, the precautionary principle must apply.

2) The public has been told that Bentong would be the second site (in the world) to 'host' this GM mosquitoes release. However, no independent scientific data is made available to the public as to the result of this 'first release'. As recent as 2009, this same UK firm (which Malaysia's IMR collaborated with) also attempted unsuccessfully the release of GM mosquitoes in India. It may be argued that the decisions of other countries need not affect Malaysia's ability to make her own decisions. But, what is the rationale of Malaysia, with limited scientific resources rushing to be among the first to use this unknown and untested biological control, when no developed countries have so far permitted its release?

3) Within the context of Malaysia's newly minted Biosafety Act (which governs the GM mosquitoes release), the issue of redress & liability is absent. Who then would the people of Bentong seek redress from if the GM mosquitoes released results in detrimental effects to human, animal or environmental health?

The next stage of approval should include public consultations. At the very least, there must be forums on the issue of GM mosquitoes. Informed consent must be obtained before any release is allowed.

Mosquitoes do not recognise town, state, national or international boundaries. Therefore, the release of a man-made organism like GM mosquitoes should not just concern the people of Bentong but all Malaysians.

The release of GM mosquitoes in the town of Bentong is in fact a national release of GM mosquitoes in Malaysia.