In the state of Florida, local officials have approved the release of 750 million mosquitoes that have been genetically engineered to reduce the local mosquito population.
The project aims to reduce the number of mosquitoes that spread diseases such as dengue fever or the Zika virus.
The pilot project, approved after years of debate, was criticized by environmental groups. One group called the project a "Jurassic Park Experiment".
Environmentalists have warned of possible damage to the ecosystem and the emergence of hybrid mosquitoes that are resistant to pesticides.
However, the company involved in the project says it will have no harmful effects on humans or the environment and has cited several government-sponsored investigations.
The plan to release mosquitoes in the Florida Keys in 2021 comes months after federal regulators clear it.
In May, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency allowed British company Acetic to manufacture a genetically modified male Aedes aegypti mosquito named OX5034.
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes spread deadly diseases such as dengue fever, zika, chikungunya and yellow fever in humans.
Only female mosquitoes bite people because they need blood to make eggs. So the plan is to release the male, mutated mosquitoes. It is hoped that these male mosquitoes breed with wild female mosquitoes.
However, male mosquitoes contain a special protein that will kill any woman before they reach the age of bite. Only the males who survive on the water of life will survive and their offspring will continue to live.
The project aims to reduce the spread of the disease in humans by reducing the population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the area over time.
On Tuesday, Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) officials issued final approval to release 750 million mosquitoes over a two-year period.
There are many opponents of this plan. Approximately 240,000 people signed a petition on Change.org criticizing Oxytic for using the US states to test these variable insects.
According to Oxytech's website, the company has had positive results from field trials in Brazil. The company reportedly plans to start the project in Texas in 2021 and has received federal government approval but has not received official or local approval.
The environmental group Friends of the Earth condemned the project and said in a statement: It will happen. '
An acetic acid scientist told the AP News Agency, "We have released billions of mosquitoes in the past few years. There is no way we can harm the environment or humans.
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are common in South Florida and are more common in urban areas with ponds. In many areas, including the Florida Keys, these mosquitoes have developed resistance to pesticides.
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