The evolution of resistence to genetically induced sterility in insects.
Final Report Abstract
Insect vectored diseases represent an enormous problem with a large human cost. Although there are numerous strategies for addressing this problem there is unlikely to be a single solution and as such a range of location specific approaches are required. Amongst these are the new generation of GM control strategies, but for these to be effective extensive evaluation is required to maintain public confidence. Furthermore, to maintain this public confidence are set of guidelines for the development and release of these insects needs to be developed and followed. This work received extensive media coverage surrounding the analysis of the first releases of GM insects. The media coverage included most major German news outlets as well as numerous international media outlets. As such, this work stimulated enormous amounts of discussion on the current state of GM animal regulation not only in the US, Malaysia and the Cayman Islands (the places specifically examined) but globally. Since the publication of this work many of the concerns that were outlined, such as the absence of published field trial data, have been rectified. The work presented also represents the first independent analysis of a released GM insect. Although the experiments failed to identify or produce a mutation resulting in viable dominate resistance to {LA513}, this does not mean that such resistance to this system will not arise. However, it does suggest that the {LA513} population suppression system may be effective in the population sizes currently being supressed. Furthermore, this work both verified and extended the analysis of tetracycline concentrations found in the environment and their effects on the effectiveness of the suppression system. It was concluded that levels of tetracycline found in the environment may partially supress the lethality of the {LA513} system. The likely outcome from environmental contamination of tetracycline is a reduction in the efficiency of {LA513} suppression rather than a complete collapse. However, this may be an important consideration when a number of techniques are available for population suppression as the cost effectiveness of {LA513} may be reduced. For new technologies to be developed and accepted by the greater community through independent laboratory based study needs to be conducted prior to environmental testing and release. This work developed a D. melanogaster model for the testing of these new technologies, {LA513} specifically, and examined the currently regulatory framework in countries were the technology has been deployed. It is hoped that this work will add to the excellent work being conducted by other groups to increase our understanding of these new technologies and establish release practices that improve acceptance of life saving solutions.
Publications
- (2012) Hidden pitfalls: how much information does a biotechnology regulator need? International Conference on Modern Biotechnologies: Sustainable Innovations and Regulatory Needs. Penang, Malaysia
Denton, JA, Reed, FA & Reeves, RG
- (2012) Scientific standards and GM insects. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases . 6(1)
Reeves, RG, Denton, JA, Santucci, F, Bryk, J & Reed, FA
