The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee in its report 'Genetically Modified Insects' calls on the Government to launch a field trial of genetically modified insects, and make the most of the UK's status as world leader in this area of research.
The technology has the potential to help control diseases such as dengue and malaria, by rendering insects unable to transmit disease. This could potentially help nearly half the world's population, who live in at-risk areas.
GM technology could also reduce insect populations to minimise their threat to animals and crops, thereby saving billions of pounds globally