The government says it has held discussions on the possible use of genetically modified mosquitoes to combat mosquito-borne illnesses but is not prepared to move forward at this time, citing cost, public acceptance and other challenges.
The issue was raised during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing when an independent journalist asked whether Antigua and Barbuda should consider more “dramatic” measures to control mosquito populations.
“Those discussions, I can tell you, have been held,” said Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office Maurice Merchant. “The jury is out on those.”
Merchant said one of the major obstacles to introducing genetically modified mosquitoes is securing public understanding and acceptance.
“Sensitization of the public in order for implementation of genetically modified mosquitoes is one of the areas that pose a great challenge,” he said.
He also cited cost as a significant factor.
“Going through the genetically modified route is very costly again,” Merchant said, adding that the government would have to carefully consider public buy-in before pursuing such an option.
Merchant said the country’s tropical environment presents additional challenges.
“We live in the tropics,” he said. “And so that’s a major challenge.”
He said the government continues to rely on conventional mosquito-control measures and public cooperation to manage vector-borne diseases.
“In the meantime, as members of the public, as homeowners, as communities, we can play our part,” Merchant said, pointing to education efforts and eradication programmes led by the Central Board of Health.
“It is one of the most effective divisions within the Central Board of Health,” he said, referring to the unit responsible for vector-borne disease control.
Merchant said introducing new scientific approaches would only be considered if existing measures prove insufficient.
“If both do not work, that is where the problem is, and there would not be any need for introducing new models of scientific arrangements to deal with a natural occurrence,” he said.