It's time to let GM insects fly free
Found on New Scientist on Monday, 23 September 2013
Opponents of genetic modification are up in arms again, this time over the proposed release of GM flies in Spain. The insects are designed to wipe out olive flies, a major pest.
Each potential release has to be considered on its own merits and risks, of course. But the previous trials provide confidence that the basic techniques are sound. These projects can easily be halted and their effects reversed.
In the past humans also thought that it would be a clever idea to release animals from other parts of the world in environments where they never existed before to fight a small problem. Decades later it turned out to be a very bad decision that did way more harm than good.