Unintended consequences to arise?

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INVASIVE SPECIES ‘SOLUTION’

Researchers in Australia, including those at the top universities and at CSIRO, are actively researching and developing CRISPR gene-editing technology for ‘invasive species control’. 

The scientists say CRISPR gene editing technology, particularly “gene drive” systems, offers a ‘potential solution to controlling invasive species in Australia’ by altering the genetics of invasive populations, potentially leading to reduced breeding or even eradication in certain cases. 

CRISPR-Cas9 systems, which are the latest frontier of this technology, would be used to introduce genetic changes into an invasive species that will be passed down to their offspring. This can lead to the spread of a specific gene-modification that can suppress the population. 

This is not theoretical, and there are currently a number of examples at present across the country:

Invasive Mice: Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a t-CRISPR system to induce female infertility in invasive mice, potentially leading to their eradication on islands.

Feral Cats: “Gene drive” technology is being explored at CSIRO as a potential tool for suppressing feral cat populations in Australia, making them infertile and unable to produce future generations.

Other Invasive Species: Gene-editing technology is being researched for a variety of other invasive species as well, including the Daughterless Carp Project for Carp fish and tests for other pests, to find ways to control their populations and reduce their impact on native ecosystems. 

“Gene drives” are presented as potentially ‘providing a more humane way to control invasive species’ compared to traditional methods like baiting or trapping, which can cause unintended harm to other animals. 

But are these ‘solutions’ really any safer than traditional methods?

This is a question the Australian public has been unable to ask as the mad scientists push ahead with their visions.

For instance, the use of gene-editing technology in the environment requires careful regulatory consideration to ensure safety and avoid unintended consequences — but regulations have been relaxed in recent years.

As such, gene-editing — even with precise targeting — can have what is known as “off-target effects” that modify genes other than the intended ones. This could have unforeseen negative consequences for the target species and potentially for other species in the ecosystem. 

There are also ethical questions surrounding the use of ‘gene drives’, particularly concerning the potential impact on ecosystems and the long-term consequences of releasing genetically modified organisms.

There is also a risk that invasive species could develop resistance to gene drives over time, requiring ongoing research and development.

It seems that none of these institutions are addressing these concerns, moving ahead with more technologically-backed initiatives that once again threaten to do more harm than reported good for society.

But who can stop them?

Certainly not the Australian government, who removed most of the regulatory framework that kept these programs at bay and have open the gates to a future where everything is genetically modified.

From nature to human beings, nothing is safe in this new era of genetic engineering.

GENE EDITING ‘REVOLUTION’

The normalisation of GM techniques has been calculated and cunning.

The Australian government deregulated CRISPR gene-editing methods for numerous products at the end of 2019, in a move experts said threatened organic production.

Australia to deregulate gene-editing techniques

Not long after, states would follow, like the South Australian government lifting their long-standing ban on genetically modified crops beginning in 2020.

South Australia to lift ban on GM crops

In 2021, New South Wales lifted their 18-year moratorium on genetically modified crops across the region, in a move welcomed by the state’s peak farming body.

NSW to lift longstanding ban on GM crops

Today, there is basically nowhere left that isn’t a testing ground for Frankenstein creations, including modified canola, soybean, maize and cotton here at home.

Other GM commercially released crops include papaya, potato, squash and tomato.

All approved GM crops in Australia are listed in the GMO Record.

But it doesn’t just stop at food and crops.

The GM lobby is threatening to completely transform the very fundamentals of nature itself, including with the introduction of edited soil microbes, ‘smart seeds’, ‘smart plants’, lab-grown food, and more.

“GMO Doomsday”: Concerns over Bayer’s new engineered soil microbes

Editing Nature: The rise of ‘smart plants’ and ‘smart seeds’

They are also editing other non-invasive animals, such as fruit flies and mosquitoes.

GM fruit flies to be “biofactories” for fake meat production

Biotech firm backed by Bill Gates wants to release GM mosquitoes in Australia

Could it be a ‘coincidence’ that the Australian grains industry has released a new biosecurity framework with the aim of “protecting growers from emerging plant pests and diseases”?

New biosecurity plan unveiled for Australian grains industry

Why, all of a sudden, has such a risk arisen following the deregulation of GM crops? Wasn’t this kind of technology supposed to be safer?

I have personally been fighting against GM techniques for over a decade here in Australia.

Ethan Nash’s open letter to Julia Gillard about GM Wheat in Australia

The concerns are endless, yet they push ahead with more radical ideas that a designed to manipulate the natural world around us. Nothing is safe in this era of de-regulation and advancement of techniques.

Many Australians are in support of these practices being used on invasive species, but I am sure they have not been made aware of the potential risks that could arise. If they were, perhaps the response would be different.

What are your thoughts on these ongoing programs?

Be sure to leave a comment down below!

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