To: The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR), Australian Government

Many Queenslanders—and Australians in general—are unaware that a controversial proposal is currently under review by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR). A company financed by Bill Gates, Oxitech, is seeking approval to release genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes into the Australian environment. This move raises significant concerns for our health, the environment, and the future of biodiversity in our region.

What is being proposed?
Oxitech’s application, dated November 13, 2024, seeks permission to release genetically modified mosquitoes designed to help combat dengue fever outbreaks. The proposed modification involves altering the mosquitoes' genes to ensure that female larvae do not survive to adulthood. Additionally, these mosquitoes are engineered to express a red fluorescent marker to make them easy to identify in the wild.

The goal, according to Oxitech, is to reduce the population of disease-carrying mosquitoes by releasing these GM mosquitoes into the environment on an ongoing basis. While this might sound like a promising solution to dengue fever, the implications of introducing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into our ecosystem are vast and uncertain.

Why is this dangerous?
The introduction of GM mosquitoes could set a dangerous precedent for future genetic alterations in nature. Genetically modified organisms, once released into the wild, cannot be recalled or controlled. There is a real risk of unintended ecological consequences, such as harm to non-target species, disruptions to local ecosystems, and long-term impacts on biodiversity.

Moreover, with no clear end date to this release—"ongoing" from the issuance of the license—the risk of long-term environmental damage is amplified. Could this be the next "toads 2.0"? This experiment might not only fail but could lead to irreversible consequences for our local wildlife and the delicate balance of our ecosystems.

Why is this unnecessary?
We already have a proven, safe, and non-genetically modified solution to combat dengue fever. Monash University has been successfully using a non-GMO method to fight dengue outbreaks. Their self-sustaining, cost-effective, and safe approach has been deployed in 13 countries over the past decade, including in North Queensland, where dengue fever has effectively been eliminated as a public health concern.

Monash University’s program does not involve genetically modifying any organisms, and it has shown significant success in reducing the risk of dengue fever without any of the risks associated with GM technology. In fact, they’ve demonstrated that GM mosquitoes are not needed to address this issue. Why, then, are we considering a solution that could have long-term and irreversible impacts on our environment when a safer, non-GMO method has already proven effective?

What we are asking for: 
We call on the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) to reject Oxitech’s application for the release of genetically modified mosquitoes into Queensland. Instead, we urge the government to support and expand the use of Monash University’s non-GMO mosquito program, which has already demonstrated success in combating dengue fever without the risks associated with genetic modification.

We urge Queenslanders, Australians, and anyone concerned about the future of our environment to sign this petition and demand that we prioritise safety, sustainability, and the protection of our ecosystems over untested genetic experimentation.

Additional Points...
Health Concerns: There are no guarantees that the introduction of GM mosquitoes will not have unintended effects on public health. What happens if the GM mosquitoes carry other diseases or alter the ecosystem in ways that we cannot predict?
Ecological Risks: Once these genetically modified mosquitoes are released into the environment, we cannot reverse the decision. The risks to non-target species and the balance of nature could be significant.
Global Implications: This experiment in Queensland could have global consequences, setting a precedent for the release of GM organisms into ecosystems around the world, with no clear understanding of the long-term effects.
Let’s protect Queensland’s environment and our health by rejecting this dangerous experiment and supporting sustainable, effective alternatives like the non-GMO approach from Monash University.

Please add your voice today!