Error Rate in Sex-sorting Process for Mosquitoes in Project Wolbachia and Process to Ensure These Mosquitoes Lack Physiological Capability to Bite Humans
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the sex-sorting error rate in Project Wolbachia and the physiological evidence that released male mosquitoes cannot bite humans. Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked for reports of male mosquito bites and the scientific basis for ensuring the safety of the released insects. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that no reports of male bites exist and that the sex-sorting process is 99.9% accurate. She highlighted that the project has successfully reduced female Aedes aegypti populations by 80% and dengue risk by over 70% in release sites. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu Hai Yien added that independent risk assessments confirm the Wolbachia-Aedes suppression technology poses no risk to human health.
Transcript
44 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) how many reports of biting by male Wolbachia mosquitoes have been received since 2024; (b) what is the current error rate for the sex-sorting process for Project Wolbachia; and (c) what scientific evidence ensures that these released male mosquitoes lack the physiological capability to bite or draw blood from humans.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: We have not received any report of biting by male Wolbachia mosquitoes. Residents in Project Wolbachia sites may still experience mosquito bites from female mosquitoes of species that are found locally, including those not released by Project Wolbachia. Source reduction efforts, therefore, remain important in suppressing the mosquito population.
Through our rigorous laboratory studies and quality control checks, we found that the sex-sorting process for Project Wolbachia achieved an accuracy of 99.9% The small number of female Wolbachia mosquitoes inadvertently released is negligible compared to the overall mosquito population in the community, and these females have significantly reduced ability to transmit diseases. Neighbourhoods where male Wolbachia mosquitoes have been released have seen an 80% reduction in female Aedes aegypti mosquito populations and more than 70% reduction in dengue risk.
The National Environment Agency has thoroughly studied the Wolbachia-Aedes suppression technology and conducted independent risk assessments, concluding that it is safe and poses no risk to human health. This conclusion is supported by international research and independent reviews.