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Jahnai L. Caul blasts GM mosquito programme on VG

-outspoken resident says VG now has more mosquitos as a result of the ‘bug out’ programme
As controversy continues to brew over the release of genetically modified mosquitoes in the Virgin Gorda Community as part of the Mosquito reduction program, one outspoke resident has blasted the program’s organizers for not taking the concers of resident’s seriously. Photo: Internet Source
'I choose not to say one word for how my spirit was so off; this thing is extremely upsetting, and I think they are taking the public’s reaction for a joke!,' VG Resident Jahnai L. Caul said in a Facebook post on the mosquito issue. Photo: File
'I choose not to say one word for how my spirit was so off; this thing is extremely upsetting, and I think they are taking the public’s reaction for a joke!,' VG Resident Jahnai L. Caul said in a Facebook post on the mosquito issue. Photo: File
Residents o f Virgin Gorda at the community meeting held at the Old Yard Inn Conference Room on October 17, 2023. Photo: Team of Reporters
Residents o f Virgin Gorda at the community meeting held at the Old Yard Inn Conference Room on October 17, 2023. Photo: Team of Reporters
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- As controversy continues to brew over the release of genetically modified mosquitoes in the Virgin Gorda Community, as part of a mosquito reduction programme, one outspoken resident has blasted the programme’s organisers for not taking the concerns of residents seriously.

“I choose not to say one word for how my spirit was so off; this thing is extremely upsetting, and I think they are taking the public’s reaction for a joke,” Virgin Gorda resident Jahnai L. Caul said in a Facebook post on the mosquito issue after a recent community meeting.

BugOut ‘Wolbachia’ - Mosquito Reduction Programme

Caul was one of a handful of residents who showed up to a meeting held on October 17, 2023, at the Old Yard Inn Conference Room concerning the mosquito reduction programme.

Mr Caul, who is regarded as a community advocate, noted that upon the meeting’s conclusion, he voiced his disappointments, with a willingness to remain ‘respectful’ on the scene.

The BugOut ‘Wolbachia’ - Mosquito Reduction Programme is said to have been started in January 2023 and is scheduled to be completed in June 2024. Based on calculations, some 16.5M mosquitos are expected to be released between now and the conclusion of the programme in 2024.

Residents affected by the mosquitos said they have become alarmed over the high presence of mosquitos across Virgin Gorda over the past few months.

A statement from ‘Representing the 9th’, an a-political platform, said Green VI’s Mosquito Scientists noted during the meeting that approximately half a million “male” mosquitos (500,000) containing the Wolbachia bacteria are released weekly on the island. 

Mosquitos an 'annoyance' - Mr Caul 

Caul, a resident within the pilot community of Handsome Bay, noted a significant increase in the presence of mosquitos in homes. “It has become an annoyance,” he reflected. 

Meanwhile, Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said some critics of the mosquito reduction programme are ill-informed about the project and not knowing the full details. “Persons don’t attend meetings when meetings are called to get the required information to understand," he stated.

Hon Wheatley explained that the project was initiated following an outbreak of Chikungunya in the territory between 2012 and 2013, then Zika, “Everybody was panicking helter-skelter,” he said while adding that the move now is to combat the spread of those and other diseases caused by mosquitos, including dengue fever.

41 Responses to “Jahnai L. Caul blasts GM mosquito programme on VG”

  • Agreeable One (20/10/2023, 09:05) Like (22) Dislike (9) Reply
    Wow! This is very interesting! Where is the public consultation and communication? Something like this should have been fully disclosed to the VG public so they were fully informed on the pros and cons. OR is it that there are certain individuals involved that feel they can do as they please? Shame on them!
    • black (20/10/2023, 10:19) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
      Seems like They got cash that is why they are quiet. We have been and continue to be lied to about this.
      So when the so called out break happened in 2012 2013 was it VG alone or the entire country? Why is it only VG that this BS is taking place and not the rest of the country?
      People wake up !
      • okay (20/10/2023, 13:39) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
        Virgin Gorda was selected as the first of the four main islands to have the trial done. Data will be gathered and analysed to see the impact of the project. If it is good, the project can be extended to other islands. This is a scientific process that will take time.
  • bvibuzz (20/10/2023, 09:08) Like (3) Dislike (13) Reply
    Free the weed free drew
  • Mr. Gage (20/10/2023, 09:22) Like (26) Dislike (8) Reply
    I'm an apiarist with excellent knowledge of insects on a whole & was on the way to becoming an entomologist. I've been following this program and support it the Science is clear, the public is getting information from people who themselves are ill-informed and offer no alternative solution.
    • @Mr Gage (20/10/2023, 19:15) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      They eliminated yellow fever before all this technology and social media...

      You say the science is clear, what is scientific about choosing to genetically modify an organism that has been around for thousands of years? Rather than proven reduction strategies such as bird baths aka mosquito trapsplaced up high that tip over automatically every few days. No frogs harmed.

      This is crazy. let me do a quick search

      "when Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carry Wolbachia, the bacteria compete with viruses like dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. This makes it harder for viruses to reproduce"

      "Outside of insects, Wolbachia infects a variety of isopod species, spiders, mites, and many species of filarial nematodes"

      Consider they are sending out the male insects with one bacteria. Mosquitoes prey on humans, how long until this bacteria mutates into one that affects humans? Far fetched? They said covid came from a bat or a lab.

      500,000 mosquitoes a week... released to "reduce" them, than choosing a non GMO option?

      People are sick of "scientist" that appeal to authority is over after the vaccine. All the doctors were trained yet they sang the song & sold the same snake oil.

      For this project to work you need to kill all the natural mosquitoes and them flood the place with the GMO mosquitoes.

      What they are doing is just getting paid to be fancy & potentially harm the ecosystem or humans. Its said Covid was escaped.

      who knows but it killed a lot of people.

      I said for this project to work, but what then will the bats and spiders do?

      Something will be out of balance. This is foolishness the height of human hubris to mess with nature in an unnatural manner.
      • RedStorm (21/10/2023, 19:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Mr Gage
        I believe whoever is doing this reach need to go from here. In all wisdom why would someone kill the very thing that is natural to replace it with the foolishness of GMO?
  • Green vi (20/10/2023, 09:30) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    Any rumors about this programme are nothing but mischievous speculation.
  • (20/10/2023, 09:31) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Where there's smoke......
  • Really (20/10/2023, 09:41) Like (18) Dislike (24) Reply
    Wake up people. The government made a pledge to the devil to kill us. These mosquitos are very deadly. Depopulation by mosquitos..why do people trust what the government say? They give you a few thousands of dollars an hour happy but the bigger picture is they can sacrifice you for loving money. Revelations is playing out in full force. New York will have camera watching you all over. Vaccinated people should be scared of these technologies since you all put the worst in your veins
  • Asstivist JC (20/10/2023, 09:43) Like (26) Dislike (7) Reply
    He need to stop. There were many meetings about this project over the years. He chose not to attend then. There are no more mosquitos than in previous years in lots of areas in the island. He need to clean up where he living. Lots of old junk and garbage around catching water and breeding mosquitos. Just another C••dy
  • stay away (20/10/2023, 09:45) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    This boy DONT LIVE HANDSOME BAY EITHER. We don’t want him up here
  • I wonder (20/10/2023, 09:47) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    It should be interesting to note the after effects in, say ten years from now.
    Wah sweeten goat mouth does poison he tail.
  • shot (20/10/2023, 09:47) Like (23) Dislike (7) Reply

    The young man needs to find something meaningful to do. The real concern among us should be the groceries labelled EXPORT ONLY that we continue to purchase from these Supermarkets. Who is monitoring the products that we continue to consume here in the islands? He is here bitching about &^%$ mosquitos when we are consuming poison on a daily basis.

    • @shot (20/10/2023, 10:47) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
      I always wondered as well why was it so significant to make sure that the food items being sent overseas are labeled “export”. Aren’t they all the same? What is the difference? Very very strange indeed. Things like that should be up for discussion. What are we eating?
      • @@shot (20/10/2023, 18:56) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
        "Export" version products like Lays potato chips, etc. contain additional additives and preservatives to enhance shelf life - so that products can last longer travels/sailings to remote markets.

        Unfortunately, "export" simply adds more processing chemicals to already ultra-processed foods that return next to no nutritional value to those who eat them.
    • Silly boy (20/10/2023, 13:42) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
      He busy ranting and smoking. He is one lazy boy. Want everything and don’t want to work. Always spewing hot air
  • Vg man (20/10/2023, 09:55) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    This guy lives on criticizing.
  • please (20/10/2023, 10:11) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    Can we release some genetically modified scooter riders in Tortola in the hope of irradiating the idiotic ones we currently have!
  • Dig Deeper (20/10/2023, 10:30) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    They biting animals
    Hard to kill
    Persistent even in strong winds they coming at u
    Imagine ppl complaining they have to open their doors n run inside and they coming in behind u


    Why not kill the mosquitoes ?
    Why preserve such pest ?
    Why stop them from jus breeding ?
    What efffects they have on animals


    How can a group decide what’s best for us ?
    Who’s funding this group ?

    Also the ferry does be moving back and forth they already in Tortola
    Seeing some unusually looking mosquitoes lately behaving strange


    Oh well lookout for that particular type of ppl to come at the comments same behavior as the vaccines pushing science
    Don’t believe in bush medicine
    And wants to bully us into what they believe as they always thinks they are superior to us .....
  • HMMM (20/10/2023, 10:32) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    2012/2013 outbreak
    Are We not in 2023 ?
    There’s more in d mortar
  • mad max (20/10/2023, 11:39) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Science deniers as well now. The ignorance is incredible sometimes. Don't tell me, it's another mark of the beast?
    You people are from Medieval times, no wonder we can't move forward from being a Third World country!
  • Sickening (20/10/2023, 13:09) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Dem to nasty... the mosquito dem wa dem release is lone female cause only female does bite. Ayo got a big agenda thas why ayo do it without telling the people
  • down2earth (20/10/2023, 13:13) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    Scientists are always going into black or poorer countries to carry out all kinds of experiments in the name of doing good. I agree with VG, no release of mosquitoes! (And they aren't going to stay VG, so we are all at risk.) The risks are too great. Show us imperative evidence that these mosquitoes are safe. Please read what happened in South America with the release of these same type of mosquitoes.

    I grew up with mosquitoes and my hands aren't tired of killing them. Let us remove receptacles that can collect water, cut the bushes in our yards. Government stop playing with your most valuable resources - humans. Environmental health please fog the place! In the past you have advertised dates and times and did nothing.

    A native Virgin Islander to the Nth generation
  • Truth (20/10/2023, 14:35) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    It is somewhat perplexing, if not an intellectual curiosity, how an individual, so evidently rife with discontent, manages to seize enough of the limelight to be afforded an entire page in a reputable publication, particularly when one recalls the deafening silence that greeted its initial appearance. The reactions, both prior and current, eloquently bespeak the fact that he is scarcely the voicebox for the VG community. While the sanctity of individual opinion remains inviolable, and the periodical certainly wields the discretion to proffer him a platform, one must wonder: in the interest of journalistic equilibrium, would it not be judicious to also extend the microphone to another community figure, one perhaps with a contrasting perspective?
  • HMMM (20/10/2023, 14:51) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    This F:;? Is crazy my skin has on bumps from these NEW BREED OF MOSQUITOES!!!!
  • DropNews (20/10/2023, 15:13) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Using genetically modified organisms (GMOs), including mosquitoes, as a form of reduction program could theoretically have profound implications. However, for the sake of understanding the science and potential security implications, we can discuss this in a purely hypothetical context.
    Gene drives are genetic systems that increase the likelihood of a particular trait being passed down through generations. When applied to mosquitoes, this technology has largely been investigated for its potential to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, like malaria. For instance, a gene drive might spread a gene that makes mosquitoes resistant to the malaria parasite, thereby reducing disease transmission.
    If weaponized hypothetically, gene drives in mosquitoes could theoretically be used to cause harm in several ways:
    1. Disease Enhancement: Instead of making mosquitoes resistant to pathogens, a gene drive could potentially be designed to enhance their ability to carry and transmit diseases. This could lead to more efficient spread of existing diseases or perhaps even be used to introduce new or modified pathogens to human populations.
    2. Ecological Disruption: I want you to take note of this paragraph. Mosquitoes play a role in their ecosystems, such as being a food source for other animals. A gene drive that, for example, causes population crashes or changes in behavior could have cascading effects on biodiversity and ecosystem health, which would indirectly affect human societies.
    3. Genetic Contamination: Once released, gene drives can spread through wild populations over generations. A weaponized gene drive could be designed to spread harmful genetic traits in mosquitoes or other species that could not easily be reversed and could spread to non-target areas or species.
    A non-profit program such as B.O. BVI could be used to mask a certain agenda, especially from experts in genetics, molecular biology, and entomology, would be extraordinarily difficult. However, hypothetically, it could involve:
    1. Conducting Research in Secret: This would require a clandestine operation, likely sponsored by a state actor due to the significant resources needed. Research would need to be conducted in secure facilities, isolated from the outside world, to prevent any accidental release or detection from external monitoring.
    2. Obfuscation of Purpose: If some aspects of the research were required to be public, for funding or logistical reasons, the true purpose might be hidden behind legitimate public health research, such as work on preventing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. The dual-use nature of much of this technology could make it easier to hide a weapons program behind a screen of legitimate research.
    3. Controlled Release and Detection Avoidance: The actual deployment would need to be extremely subtle and in a way that mimics natural patterns to avoid detection for as long as possible. This might involve releasing modified mosquitoes in areas where they could spread the gene drive naturally, perhaps in smaller Island states like B.V.I where scientific scrutiny is low.
    4. Advanced Counter-detection Techniques: Developing methods to prevent the detection of genetic modifications or the gene drive itself would be critical. This might involve techniques that make the genetic changes appear as natural variations or mutations or employing cutting-edge CRISPR technology that leaves minimal "footprints."
    We also must pay close attention to the actors involved in such a program their source of funding and the reasoning behind it. From my recollection Dengue has not been a major issue in the BVI, drink your bush tea and STOP RELEASING these weaponized creatures into the wild. There is more than meets the eye with these programs, do some history research on the atrocities committed across the globe that always seem well intended.
    • NOT GMO (20/10/2023, 17:10) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      Wolbachia tool is not GMO. It is a naturally occurring bacteria. GMO is NOT being used in Virgin Gorda or anywhere in the BVI. The mosquitoes that are biting are from the large Storm Phillipe rains, not from the BugOut programme. The BugOut Programme has been a part of the Virgin Gorda community since 2016. The Aedes aegypti mosquito that spreads disease is invasive and not indigenous to the Virgin Islands. Multiple community meetings have been streamed live to the public, door-to-door outreach, school presentations, church presentations, social media campaigns, signs, pamphlets, magnets. Hopefully you will watch the video below about the programme and learn more. Be well.

      https://youtu.be/SUN-M9E7Jf4?si=TfcPT69GdlMyxvlJ
      • facts (20/10/2023, 20:37) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        Bug out has been in VG way longer than since 2016. Caul was up and down with them and Green VI for years. He can’t get to do what he want so he turn in them. He himself look like a mosquito and acts no like one too. He need to shut up and plant banana
      • DropNews (20/10/2023, 20:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Please do some research and see how this works. GENE DRIVE by OXITEC. I'M really tired of people using smart terminology such as *Naturally occurring *. It maybe naturally occurring but the techniques used to modify the mosquitos are not. Nature is not lab grown, modified or altered etc. 20 years later when more data is available someone will say oh oh and then who's to blame for years of pain amd suffering. As natural as the mosquitos are right now leave them alone. OXITEC MOTO is nature is Broken amd they have to fix it. Bug out bvi is part of OXITECs changing nature project. Virgin Gorda is he testing ground.
      • Hmph (21/10/2023, 19:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Wow, you are an idiot. How do you know which mosquitoes are doing the biting? Are you asking the mosquitoes? Stay out of our country with your experiments, we are not your lab rats!
  • Slim Jim (20/10/2023, 15:23) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is crazy.

    I have been hearing RUMOURS about this programme in VG, but (maybe because I live in Tortola) never heard any FACTS in a MEETING or PRESS RELEASE, FACTSHEET or any other credible NEWS SOURCE about the programme.

    And this is HUGE, let's face it mosquitos doesn't just stay in one place, they fly... can come across in cargo on the barge, hide in corners of the ferry and make the transit, and not to mention how do we (the public) actually know its only male mosquitos, or what this virus is exactly and what long term effects it may have on us if its introduced into the human bloodstream? Are we just being turned into lab rats because our elected representatives are allowing a PRIVATE entity to carry our a programme that affects the GENERAL PUBLIC without meaningful full-scale prior dialogue, discussion and buy-in from the majority? Is this how we are rolling (again)?

    I am way past fed up with the callous, willful, selfish, and patronising way these persons that we elected into power conduct "business"... quite frankly am starting to hope that they find a virus that eliminates politicians and their stupidity from this place. This is NOT what we voted for!!! And I am not a racist, but I sincerely doubt that if this cock-a-mammy idea had been presented by anyone else but rich, white people that we would even be having this discussion. Something very fishy is going on!!!

  • A-Not Okay! (20/10/2023, 16:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whatever happened to overhead field spraying?
  • question (20/10/2023, 17:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why spend millions on these mosquito to jus stop the breeding of a certain species of mosquitos ?
    Mosquitoes is a serious annoying pest
    What is their purpose ?
    U can’t enjoy beach restaurants or anything outdoor and if they enter your home one can’t even sleep

    My point is why not kill them ?
    Why spend all this resource to inject a bacteria that will stop them
    As a matter of fact 2012 2013 had anyone contracted or heard of any Zika or chickungunya ?

    If is not one is d next
    COVID lockdown vax now modified mosquitoes
    And I do don’t believe they don’t bite humans
    I believe they darn well biting humans and animals

    It’s rather disturbing that a group can sit and decide what’s best for our comfort health and peace of mind
    How is this soo ?
    Who is funding these ppl ?
    How much money they pocketed on this program?
    We know ggate does pay millions to get his pathetic ideas out to the world

    Who gave these ppl permission ?
    R u saying I can hear about something scientific and jus import and let loose ?
    Do I need a license ?
    When we thought the vax was sinister I think this is
    Vax u can
    Say no
    These flying things u can’t say no can u ?
    And one can identify them lately they are bigger more fast and very aggressive

    And yes they’ll be in Tortola and all over via ferry barges boats etc not jus tola but other islands
    This is very disturbing
  • WOW (20/10/2023, 19:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    OK everyone who says science and fights for science. Ask why is cannabis illegal?

    Why is the science ignored. Why is it schedule 1 in the US, " no accepted medical use" and class B in the UK

    The world we live in is so very crooked that's why slavery was legal and black people were deemed sub-human. Science can be manipulated by whoever is funded to do the research. How many people took the vaccine?

    Remember how crazy people acted over it.
  • problem (20/10/2023, 19:28) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Can every thing be a problem for this young man? Please get some positivity for if you don't stress is real. Let go of all that negativity and hatred. Don't continue to live your life in bitterness you can do better.
  • Eldread (20/10/2023, 20:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I see infantilism, our metropolis and parent gets out stooge politicians to carry out white orders any day, it's first place to practice paternalism, it's on the black moomoo race., so mosquitoes experiment should be tried on us as guinea pig.
  • WOW (21/10/2023, 02:52) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wow, BVI people so stupid they think when they say something stupid they saying something smart. Like, ANY opinion is valid because most of us too stupid to have an opinion.
    Now hear all you “community genius” who don’t know the first thing about this project coming out with all your righteous bull crap.
    Learn about what it is before you jump to some stupid conclusion about it.
    Same with covid and the vaccine. Same with our politics. We have neglected education for so long that people think that their ignorance is as valid as someone else’s education.
    And so, boosted on falsely inflated ego, we spiral downwards.
  • smh (21/10/2023, 10:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    16 million seriously
  • Scratchie (21/10/2023, 14:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The mozies have been inoculated with the syphilis virus that causes a long and painful death
  • Hmph (21/10/2023, 19:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why do we take everything these white people say as gold? The damage done to our people at the hands of the whites is still ongoing! Where is the environmental department? How do we know what these people are releasing? I went to VG a couple of days ago and the attack from the mosquitoes were CRAZY for a programme that started in January 2023.


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