Indonesia pauses release of genetically modified ‘good’ mosquitoes to combat dengue after uproar – News Healthcare

The Indonesian government has decided to delay its plan to release 200 million genetically modified mosquitoes aimed at combating dengue following opposition from locals. These mosquitoes, carrying Wolbachia, a bacteria that prevents dengue viruses from growing inside them, were intended to be released in dengue-prone areas in the city of Yogyakarta. However, critics raised concerns about the robustness of the pilot study justifying the release of this new species.

Indonesia’s health ministry spokeswoman, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, stated, “We are currently discussing with the Bali Provincial Government to temporarily delay the release of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes and conduct further public dissemination until the community is prepared.”

Wolbachia is a common bacteria naturally occurring in 60% of insect species, including some mosquitoes. The World Mosquito Program (WMP), a non-governmental organization leading the research, aimed to create “good” mosquitoes by allowing those carrying dengue to mate with mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia injected in labs.

The government initially planned to launch the program in Yogyakarta and later expand it to Bali, Semarang, Bandung, Jakarta in Java, and Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara. While similar programs have been implemented in 12 countries, covering 8.6 million people, critics argue that the small sample size of around 4,500 people in Yogyakarta may not provide a clear picture of the experiment’s success.

Beyond health concerns, the program faces potential legal issues, according to Bali-based lawyer Yulius Benyamin Seran. He emphasized the state’s obligation to protect citizens from potential threats and suggested thorough lab tests involving experts to ensure the safety of the mosquitoes before their release.