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Billions of ‘Genetically Modified’ Mosquitoes to be released in the US, the reason is Surprising

Billions of genetically modified male mosquitoes could be released in two states of the United States. These two states are Florida and California. The reason for this is that the country’s Environmental Protection Agency has given approval to the mosquito-related Oxitech company for further processing after the successful pilot projects.

 

Billions of genetically modified mosquitoes developed

According to the report, UK-based biotechnology company Oxitech has developed billions of genetically modified mosquitoes that will prove effective in keeping disease-causing mosquitoes away from humans. UK-based Oxitech Biotechnology company is carrying out the work of releasing mosquitoes. The company is going to release billions of genetically modified male mosquitoes into the environment. This male mosquito will mate with female mosquitoes. Because female mosquitoes need blood to lay eggs and this is the reason they bite humans.

 

Such an effect will be on female mosquitoes

The company says that genetically modified male mosquitoes, which do not bite, will mate with the female and during this time the protein will be released from them, which is genetically modified. That protein will kill the female mosquito before it can bite.

According to Oxitech, it aims to curb harmful diseases like dengue, zika, yellow fever and chikungunya. Data released by the company said that since these mosquitoes were first detected in California in 2013, the mosquito has rapidly spread to more than 20 counties across the state, increasing the risk.

 

Pilot project has been successful

To prevent this, two pilot projects were approved. One in California with the Delta Mosquito and Vector Control District (Delta MVCD) and one in Florida with the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD). Now that this pilot project is successful, now after EPA approval, Oxitec will submit permit applications to state regulators in California and Florida for their review.

 

Claimed to have caused no harm to other insects

The company has said that this safe, sustainable and targeted biological pest control technology does not harm beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies. This method has been proven to control the disease-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito that rapidly invaded humans in Florida, California and other US states.

 

 

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