The EPA Approved Plans To Release Millions Of Genetically Altered Mosquitoes Across The US
Most people would do a lot to avoid mosquitos. Not only do they bite and leave uncomfortable itchy bumps, but they can also carry diseases.
While it may seem counter-intuitive, the Environmental Protection Agency has just approved a plan to release up to 2 billion mosquitos in states across the country.
According to a press release from biotech company Oxitec, the mosquitos being release are a genetically altered version of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
The US @EPA has approved #Oxitec #mosquito pilot projects in #California and #Florida. Applications will now be submitted to state regulators 🦟☀️🌴#PublicHealth #Sustainability
EPA Approval: https://t.co/SBU6ya0V8e
Media Advisory: https://t.co/91ZUPcqsAl pic.twitter.com/7edqiGOLwO— Oxitec Ltd (@Oxitec) March 8, 2022
They’ve been altered so that they can slowly kill off the natural mosquitos populations when released into the wild. How it works is that the altered mosquitoes will mate with the natural female mosquitos and their offspring never survive to adulthood. Eventually, it should lower the number of baby mosquitos maturing and reduce the number of mosquitos that bite and spread disease.
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The altered mosquitoes don’t carry diseases or bite, but that hasn’t stopped critics and skeptics from voicing concern over the plan. In practice, the mosquitoes will be released in parts of Florida and California as part of a pilot program, but some individuals and organizations would like more research to be done before the insects are thrown into the environment.
According to USA Today, Dana Perls with Friends of the Earth said about the approval: “This is a destructive move that is dangerous for public health…Once you release these mosquitoes into the environment, you cannot recall them. This could, in fact, create problems that we don’t have already.”
She also noted concerns about the lack of peer-reviewed data regarding the altered mosquitos and their effectiveness and impact. Last year, Oxitec tested its first batch of mosquitoes in the Florida Keys and it seemed to be successful. However, Dana and others feel more testing and research should be done before moving forward with a larger pilot program.
Oxitec claims on its website that the genetically modified mosquitoes are safe and won’t harm other insects, like bees.
It’ll be interesting to see what effects the altered mosquitos end up having on natural populations. Perhaps they’ll help eradicate mosquito-spread diseases!
