Why Are Mosquitoes Being Released Into Florida?
WouterUsing genetic engineering, a biotechnology company called Oxitec is seeking approval to release millions of genetically modified male mosquitoes into Florida. These modified mosquitoes are designed to kill female mosquitoes before they can breed. The company claims that the goal of the project is to reduce the transmission of harmful diseases, such as yellow fever and chikungunya.
The biotechnology company teamed up with the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District to launch the project. They will be releasing nearly 20 million genetically modified mosquitoes in three areas of the Keys. However, the exact locations have not been released yet.
The company says that the mosquitoes carry a protein that inhibits the female’s ability to reproduce. This protein also makes the female unable to survive in the wild. The company hopes that enough data will be collected to help assess the impact of the mosquitoes on other species.
The company believes that releasing the mosquitoes will help control invasive species in the warming climate. However, many residents of the Keys are concerned about the project’s long-term impact. They worry about the negative effects on natural ecosystems. They also warn that genetically modified mosquitoes could cause hybrid mosquitoes to develop, which would create an even more dangerous problem.
Oxitec says that they have been working with the Florida Keys community for more than a decade. Although they have faced pushback from critics, they have also been able to gain approval from several Florida government agencies.
