In September 2004 the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology hosted an international conference to explore the scientific and public policy issues surrounding the potential release of genetically modified insects. Participants and attendees included some of the leading experts working in the field including scientists, policy makers, public interest groups, journalists and others interested in the application of genetic engineering technology to insects. Over the course of two days, the assembled group shared information about ongoing research, outlined regulatory processes or (in many cases) the need for regulatory clarity and the many ethical concerns which will need to be considered before genetically modified insects can be released.

Proceedings from the conference, titled “Biotech Bugs: A Look at the Science and Public Policy Surrounding the Release of Genetically Modified Insects” are now available in English, French and Spanish translations on the Pew Initiative website.

Highlights include:

• A robust discussion, lead by scientists, about the potential for transgenic insects to be used to address public health and agricultural problems as well as the lessons that can be learned from past efforts to use technology to control insect populations.
• Clarification by researchers that they need guidelines from federal regulatory authorities to better understand what they must do to satisfy safety concerns.
• Frequent acknowledgement that there is an immediate need for scientists and government officials in developing countries, where many of the insects under development would be deployed, to engage in conversations about the use of transgenic insects.
• Concerns that a number of technical challenges, such as the ability to transform targeted pest populations, still need to be resolved.
• Broad acknowledgement that the introduction of transgenic insects raises numerous ethical questions which should be publicly vetted to address public concerns about the introduction.

Proceedings and highlights from the conference can be viewed and downloaded at: http://pewagbiotech.org/events/0920/.

Information about the conference -- including the agenda, an archived audio webcast and copies of the presentations provided by most participants – can also be viewed at: http://pewagbiotech.org/events/0920/.