Name : G. Vinod
Age : 29
Where Are You From? : Malaysia
Currently Residing In… : Kuala Lumpur
What Do You Do For A Living? : Journalist
AEW : I read your article about GMM in Free Malaysia Today. What made you write that article?
GV : I was concerned about the fact that the government was planning to release GMM while the world was still arguing about the safety of genetically modified plants and food products. At that point, that was the first time I heard about GMM and was concerned whether a proper public consult was done before even suggesting its release.
AEW : Let me get something straight – are you more for proving a point on the government’s ‘mis-handling’ of this project or are you actually really concerned about the consequences of GMM?
GV : I would say both. An example of the first point was there were genuine concerns that not much information was provided to the public on the release of GMMs. Plus, no one knew the National Biosafety Board was already conducting closed-door experiments of GMM in 2007 itself. Therefore I can consider that the project itself is relatively shrouded in secrecy. As for the second point, there are concerns that GMM’s progeny may live if there is a presence of tetracycline in the environment where the eggs are laid. Tetracycline, being a common antibiotic used in veterinary medicine, animal husbandry and agriculture, is quite prevalent in the environment and we may risk having a GMM’s progeny running loose in our environment!
AEW : You did a lot of mosquito research for your article. Was it tedious or just trawling through the net?
GV : I t was tedious in a sense that I actually had to learn about mosquitoes and what were pros and cons of releasing GMMs. However, quite a number of experts in the field had given me valuable input that had helped me to write the article
AEW : Did you also do your homework with Oxitec and NBB?. Was it difficult to get the information you needed?
GV : To be honest, I know very little about Oxitec and the NBB. I am still seeking information on them.
AEW : So, do you think like all things “government-planned”, this was another shoddy and shady job?
GV : I believe the proposal is being pushed through by the government for reasons best known to them. Though I appreciate their good intentions in trying to reduce dengue cases in the country, we cannot simply put in a measure affecting public health without deliberating thoroughly. Besides, if we end up having a new breed of mosquito in the environment after the release, how do they plan to get rid of it? What if the new strain transmits a new disease? How do you go about addressing it? These questions remain unanswered!
AEW : It is indeed pretty scary to note that the GMMs could actually mutate and thus become HIV carriers. That being the case – do you think the human race would be wiped out or am I watching too many Hollywood B-grades?
GV : Even if an HIV-carrying mosquito fails to wipe out the human race, the amount of environmental damages we are doing to the planet and a nuclear war would do the trick.
AEW : Oh. True that. What had you hoped for your article to achieve, actually?
GV : I wanted to educate the public on negative aspects of the GMM release as the mainstream media are already highlighting the positive side of it. Let the public digest the facts and make their own decision about the release. In addition, if there are some hidden agenda behind the release, I wanted those in power to realise that there are people scrutinizing them and they cannot simply make decisions without fearing a public uproar.
AEW : Very brave indeed. Do you think it is achievable and how do you intend to make it achievable?
GV : I believe it is achievable and I intend to write about it as often as I can to make it achievable.
AEW : Well, Vinod - I hope you do make it achievable and let us know whenever your articles are published. We'll help spread the word.
** Read G.Vinod's article about Genetically Modified Mosquitoes here!
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