[Wuzzy]

I don't think this is a real concern, for two reasons: first, how should such a "transfer of genes" to another species proceed? This is not how it works.

Secondly, these genes are pretty much self-regulating; they disappear from the population in one generation. They almost certainly won't be in the ecosystem long enough in order to play a role in any improbable scenario.

[rkalla]

> first, how should such a "transfer of genes" to another species proceed? This is not how it works.

Couldn't a viral infection do this? Some virus that existed inside the mosquito could be modified by (or modify itself in response to) this generic engineering and then transfered to an unintended host.

> They almost certainly won't be in the ecosystem long enough

Your use of absolutes here (with respect to the unknown) makes me want to turn on the news and wait for the big announcement that this new breed of mosquitos has unknowingly caused an undead plague in Africa ;)

NOTE: I am not saying this should have never been tested. I am just surprised how little is known before a public trial was executed.

[Wuzzy]

> Couldn't a viral infection do this?

I still don't see how exactly. E.g., even if it "modified itself in response to this genetic engineering" then it wouldn't really transfer the lethal gene into another species, would it?

> Your use of absolutes here (...)

Which absolutes exactly are you talking about? :) Nothing absolute in the "almost certainly" statement, in my opinion.

> I am just surprised how little is known before a public trial was executed.

What do you mean by "is known"?

[mrleinad]

Monsanto said the same thing about their genetically enhanced crop. Now those genes that rendered those crops resistant to roundup, have been transfered to other plants such as amaranto.