An army of “Frankinsects” could lead the fight against killer diseases, a report claims.
Scientists are being urged to genetically modify bugs so they cannot pass on malaria and dengue.
It comes after an outcry over genetically modified crops, dubbed "Frankenstein foods" .
The GM critters have “considerable potential” in controlling the spread of insect-borne diseases, according to a House of Lords committee.
But peers slam “woefully inadequate” European rules for holding up the technology - and call on the Government to start field trials.
Science Committee chairman Lord Selborne said: “While we acknowledge that the science may not be a silver bullet in the fight against fatal disease and threats to food security, it could prove to be an invaluable addition to our armoury.”
As well as being stripped of their powers to spread diseases, the GM insects can be deployed to the frontline of stopping pests damaging crops and livestock - avoiding the need for insecticides.
Bugs could be introduced to the environment with altered DNA which can affect their offspring when they reproduce.
This can include modifying harmful traits over time.
Lord Selborne said: “ GM insect technologies have the potential not only to save countless lives worldwide, but also to generate significant economic benefits for UK plc, where we are an acknowledged world leader.
“But the development of GM insect technologies has come to a screeching halt because the EU regulatory system is woefully inadequate.
“Until we can get a regulatory framework that will do justice to this area of scientific research, its wings are effectively clipped.
“Our report concludes that the UK Government has a moral duty to initiate field trials to put not only the science but, crucially, the regulations to the test.”
Britain is home to the only company producing and distributing GM insects, Oxitec .
Its work triggered a 96% fall in a target species of dengue-transmitting mosquitoes in Brazil.
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