Conclusion and Perspectives
Biotechnological approaches based on genetically modified organism (transgenic organisms) are still under development. However, since no legal framework exists to authorize the release of such organisms in the nature, sterilization by irradiation remains the most used technique. A meeting was held at FAO headquarters in Rome, 8 to 12 April 2002 on "Status and Risk Assessment of the Use of Transgenic Arthropods in Plant Protection". The resulting proceedings of the meeting have been used by the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) to develop NAPPO Regional Standard No. 27 on "Guidelines for Importation and Confined Field release of Transgenic Arthropods", which might provide the basis for the rational development of the use of transgenic arthropods.
SIT programs will benefit tremendously if genetic methods can be developed that enable only male insects to be reared as has already been done for the medfly. In addition, more appropriate artificial diets for larvae, and hormonal, nutritional, microbiological, and semiochemical treatments for adults, could make major contributions through improved economy and insect quality.
Economic benefits of SIT has been demonstrated in various cases. For example, direct benefits of screwworm eradication to the North and Central American livestock industries are estimated to be over $ 1.5 billion/ year, compared with a total investment over half a century of close to $ 1 billion. Mexico protects a fruit and vegetable export market of over $ 3 billion/year through an annual investment of ca. $ 25 million, and medfly-free status has been estimated to have opened markets for Chile’s fruit exports of up to $ 500 million. Eradication of tsetse has resulted in major socio-economic benefits for Zanzibar. When implemented on an area-wide basis and with economies of scale in the mass rearing process, the use of SIT for suppression is cost competitive with conventional control, in addition to its environmental benefits.
Read more about this topic: Sterile Insect Technique
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