December 17, 2015

genetically modified insects – what is their potential?

The House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee publishes its report on GM insects on Thursday 17 December.

The Committee has been investigating the use of GM insect technologies to fight infectious disease and to control agricultural pests. It’s estimated that nearly half the world’s population live in areas that put them at risk from malaria and dengue fever, while in the UK and across the globe, insect damage causes billions of pounds of agricultural losses.

But the technology now exists to render insects unable to transmit diseases, and to reduce insect populations to minimise their threat to animals and crops.

Roundup comments accompanied this briefing.

Speakers:

Lord Selborne, Chair, House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee

Lord Fox, Member, House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee

Viscount Ridley, Member, House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee