Gov't clips wings of GM mossie plan

The government has put on hold its plan to introduce genetically-modified mosquitos to combat the incidence of dengue fever.

This is pending furth er studies by the National Bio-safety Board and the cabinet, said deputy premier Muhyiddin Yassin.

"There are no plans to introduce the genetically-modified mosquito as yet," he told reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office after chairing the national committee meeting on dengue.

Although the matter had been discussed and the solution seems viable, the government had other matters to consider.

"(No decision will be made) until every aspect has been clinically tested, including possible effects on the environment," he said.

Muhyiddin also said the government will not consider the plan until it is endorsed at the international level.

Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai, who was at the press conference, explained that his ministry has completed clinical trials on the genetically-modified mosquito and will submit the results to the National Bio-safety Board for evaluation.

"Once we received their feedback we will submit it to the cabinet. However, further research will be carried out at the cabinet level," he said.

The plan, announced late last month, has been met with furious opposition from civil society groups and experts who have questioned the effect of introducing the genetically-modified insect into the environment, fearing that the side effects may create more problems.

Muhyiddin also revealed that the death toll from dengue has risen by 53 percent since last year, as he called on state governments and local authorities to work together with the federal government to combat the deadly disease spread by the Aedes mosquito.

He urged state governments to follow in Johor's footsteps and re-activate the state-level committee to combat dengue.

‘Be tough’ message

Muhyiddin also suggested tougher measures like increasing the fines for repeat offenders who breach regulations on dengue prevention, for example by leaving water containers outside to become the breeding ground for the Aedes larvae

He said that jail time is already in the books but has been rarely invoked for those who breach dengue prevention rules.

In saying this does not mean that he is calling for the imposition of a jail sentence, Muhyiddin stressed the need for more stringent action.

Agreeing, Liow said his ministry is working towards raising the compound fine for dengue-related offences from the current RM50-100 rate to RM500 as a deterrence.