Medicosnext
In May 2020, the US Environmental Agency approved production of the genetically engineered, male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, known as OX5034, by British-based, US-operated company Oxitec. This species of mosquitoes are known to spread deadly diseases like dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. On August 18, 2020, Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) officials approved release of 750 million of the genetically modified mosquitoes in the Florida Keys, the aim of which is to reduce the number of mosquitoes that carry the deadly diseases.
Since only female mosquitoes bite humans, due to their need of blood to produce eggs, the plan is to release the modified male mosquitoes in the hope that they will breed with wild female mosquitoes. The modified males carry a protein that will kill female off spring before they reach mature biting age.
Environmentalists have labelled it as a “Jurassic Park experiment” and warn of possible damage to ecosystems. They also fear the potential creation of hybrid, insecticide-resistant mosquitoes. However, Oxitec claims that studies have shown no risk to humans or to the environment, and that they “have released over a billion of our mosquitoes over the years. There is no potential for risk to the environment or humans”. They plan to release the mosquitoes in the Florida Keys in 2021 over a two-year period. Oxitec also plans to release them in Texas beginning in 2021.
Ref: BBC News, August 20, 2020, https://bbc.in/3doc2ib
