Ethical Issues Trounding GMO Research
It is probably safe to say that modification of anything without education is mostly looked upon as taboo. Backlash of the unknown often occurs on a variety of scales. Transgenic vector mosquitoes are no different because of the many bio ethical factors involved. Health, environmental and chemical are just a few of the well documented concerns surrounding GMO research. While genetically modifying Aedes mosquitoes scientists have been able to reduce dengue disease but are there medical breakthroughs in disease control for outbreaks such as the West Nile or Chikungunya viruses? Decreasing instances of infection would be tremendous but at what cost? In my opinion this shows that the most troubling bio ethical issue is ecological. Imagine a non-human
being bitten by a female carrier and transferring that ailment across species (Bourtzis et al, 2016, para. 11). Trying to minimize that crisis could be astronomical. The impact could negativly impact the environment. Sprayed chemicals such as pesticides and insecticides into the air would literally have a lingering effect. The mist alone leaves residue on its surroundings long after first contact. Bourtzis (2016) also states that Stakeholders are “encouraging investment in the development of vector control methods that are complementary or alternatives to current control” (para. 3).
Morally I think it’s okay to release transgenic mosquitoes into “the wild” only if the purpose of modification is to stimulate the species with harmless substances that won’t reduce attributes of producing offspring and living an otherwise sustainable and healthy life within its ecosystem. All creatures deserve the best chance at survival without suffrage at the hands of another. Pugh (2016) says “An adherent of the sanctity of life view in this context could maintain that even if we assume that individual members of a species are not 'sacred', the species considered holistically still may be” (p. 578). To put it frankly, each species within an ecosystem adds to the overall prosperity and value of their habitat.
being bitten by a female carrier and transferring that ailment across species (Bourtzis et al, 2016, para. 11). Trying to minimize that crisis could be astronomical. The impact could negativly impact the environment. Sprayed chemicals such as pesticides and insecticides into the air would literally have a lingering effect. The mist alone leaves residue on its surroundings long after first contact. Bourtzis (2016) also states that Stakeholders are “encouraging investment in the development of vector control methods that are complementary or alternatives to current control” (para. 3).
Morally I think it’s okay to release transgenic mosquitoes into “the wild” only if the purpose of modification is to stimulate the species with harmless substances that won’t reduce attributes of producing offspring and living an otherwise sustainable and healthy life within its ecosystem. All creatures deserve the best chance at survival without suffrage at the hands of another. Pugh (2016) says “An adherent of the sanctity of life view in this context could maintain that even if we assume that individual members of a species are not 'sacred', the species considered holistically still may be” (p. 578). To put it frankly, each species within an ecosystem adds to the overall prosperity and value of their habitat.