LAHORE: The health department has constituted a committee of experts to submit recommendations on the use of genetically-engineered mosquitoes to control dengue.
The decision was taken in a meeting held at the Civil Secretariat on Monday which was also attended by the experts of British company OXITEC Ltd, Kevin Gorman, Hadyn Parry besides Health Secretary Dr Ijaz Munir, Health Director General Dr Zahid Pervaiz, King Edward Medical University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Faisal Masood, Prof Dr Muhammad Ali of the Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Institute of Public Health Dean Prof Mohaz Ahmed, Chief Minister's Dengue Research Cell In Charge Prof Waseem Akram and Dr Jafar Ilyas.
The meeting discussed the aspect of ill-effects of chemical methods, including spray and fogging on human health.
British experts said genetically-engineered mosquitoes had been used successfully in Brazil and other countries to eradicate dengue.
The meeting also formed a technical committee to formulate recommendations regarding the use of genetically-engineered mosquito. The committee will submit its recommendations in the light of local weather conditions, impact of temperature on this mosquito and laboratory tests so that final decision could be taken regarding its use in an environmental and human friendly conditions.
Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2014