Qld government to monitor Oxitec’s GM mozzies plan after community backlash

There are promises to monitor a proposal to release genetically modified mosquitoes in Queensland after more than 7500 people opposed the plan.

There are promises to monitor a new mosquito proposal.

Queensland Environment Minister Andrew Powell has promised to monitor a biotech firm’s plan to release genetically modified mosquitoes in Queensland.

“Although the application remains with the Commonwealth-run OGTR (Office of the Gene Technology Regulator), The Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, will continue to closely monitor its status,” he said in a letter on Monday.

“It is important to remember that there are many additional safeguards in place and other regulators that consider the proposed release of GMOs [genetically modified organisms] in Australia.”

The letter was a response to a petition supported by more than 7500 people, calling to reject the proposed introduction by Oxitec Australia, which was backed by national science agency CSIRO.

Petitioner Allan Ballard, of the Sunshine Coast, called for the benefits and risks to be explained.

“The deliberate introduction of a genetically modified species has an unknown outcome and could have dire environmental and health outcomes,” he said.

Mr Powell did not address any possible pros or cons of the project.

Oxitec Australia is a collaboration between Australia’s national science agency CSIRO and British company Oxitec. Picture: Linda Higginson

Oxitec Australia, registered at a Brisbane City address, applied to the OGTR for permission to commercially release a mosquito strain, known as aedes aegypti academically.

The company plans to sell overseas-made genetically modified male eggs which have a self-limiting gene, to prevent its wild female counterparts, which transmit yellow fever, zika, chikungunya and dengue, to survive to adulthood.

Male larvae were believed not to bite humans or animals.

Yellow fever has never been detected in Australia, while zika, chikungunya and dengue, all believed to be transmitted by aedes aegypti, had a surge in cases following southeast Queensland being hit by the ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

State government data showed almost 100 dengue cases were found this year until mid-March, nearly doubling the full year figure in 2024. Zika virus were also reported twice so far, up from a single case last year.

The "just-add-water" product allows for the production of non-biting male mosquitoes in a short time following the addition of water. Picture: Brand Aid Creative Group

This came as potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus Japanese encephalitis was detected in Brisbane for the first time just a week ago.

Mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria have been released to Far North Queensland since 2011 from Cape York Peninsula to Townsville as part of the World Mosquito Program initiative.

In a Courier-Mail poll, 62 per cent of about 1200 voters supported releasing the genetically modified strain to fight mosquito-borne diseases, but 38 per cent did not.

An Oxitec spokesman said its company will continue working closely with government agencies, scientific partners and local communities.

“Oxitec Australia is committed to transparency and ongoing community engagement,” the spokesman said.

“In all its work worldwide, Oxitec works in close partnerships with local governments and communities, prioritising transparency, open communications and information-sharing with all stakeholders.”

The spokesman said the manufactured mosquitoes offered a safe and targeted solution to the growing dengue concern in Australia.

“Oxitec’s proven biological friendly platform has been piloted across the Americas and in the Pacific,” he said.

“Oxitec’s mosquitoes are self-limiting, meaning they do not persist in the environment beyond a few generations.”

Public consultation was originally designed to start in March but was postponed to May with the OGTR citing the application had “extensive interest”.

The project remained under evaluation.