4.4 Project Wolbachia
Figure 4.14: A Cartoon Illustrating the Main Point of Project Wolbachia
The main idea behind the project was to use Wolbachia male mosquitoes as a vector control tool. Wolbachia are bacteria that are present in over 60% of insect species - hence, Wolbachia males are non-genetically modified.
Figure 4.15: Differences in Mating Between Urban and Wolbachia Males
Wolbachia males - when mated with female urban mosquitoes - yield eggs that do not hatch.
Figure 4.16: Decline in A. aegypti Populations From Project Wolbachia
Because of the project, the population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes fell in the urban community.
4.4.1 How safe is Project Wolbachia?
Figure 4.17: A Study on the Safety of Project Wolbachia
Since the launch of the project, lectures, talks, and community activities have been given to promote such technology.
The aforementioned were all targeted towards academic, medical, and governmental communities.
Figure 4.18: Media Coverage on Project Wolbachia
The local media has also shed some light onto the feasibility of Project Wolbachia.
4.4.2 Media coverages on Project Wolbachia
4.4.2.1 Wolbachia mosquito releases
Listed are a series of media coverages on Project Wolbachia (again, all graphics are taken from the lecture slides). Also note the significance of the articles’ titles - the word “welcomes” has positive connotations (the media can easily influence public opinion, hence the importance of multi-party collaboration):
Braddell Heights (18 Oct 2016)
Nee Soon East (22 Feb 2019)
Tampines West (28 Feb 2019)
4.4.2.2 Phase studies
Figure 4.19: Media Coverage on Phase 4 of Project Wolbachia
The above article was released on 7 Oct., 2019 - this is an effort to suppress about 90% of the A. aegypti mosquito population in Singapore.
Figure 4.20: Media Coverage on Phase 5 of Project Wolbachia
According to official sources, male wolbachia mosquitoes are to be released across Yishun and Tampines by March of 2022 (i.e., soon).
4.4.3 Public sentiments on Project Wolbachia
Figure 4.21: Study on Public Sentiments of Project Wolbachia
According to the study listed above, the project itself has high support and positive sentiments.