One mosquito expert says releasing a foreign mosquito strain into wild could increase risk of insecticide resistance

A CSIRO-backed plan to release genetically modified mosquitoes in Queensland to combat dengue fever has sparked concern from scientists who suggest it could interfere with successful control programs and increase the risk of insecticide resistance.

Oxitec Australia, a collaboration between a British biotechnology firm and the CSIRO, has applied to sell a GM strain of Aedes aegypti mosquito, the main culprit for transmitting dengue and other viruses.

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