A landmark labor , spearheaded by the biotechnology company , Oxitec , has releasedgenetically change mosquitosin the Florida Keys . This cross off the first time that genetically modified mosquito have been released into the wild in the US . The reason : to battle theAedes aegyptimosquito species responsible for spreading mosquito - borne diseases such as dengue and Zika in the region .
Aedes aegyptionly accounts for about 4 percent of the total mosquito universe in Florida keys – however , it is responsible for for almost all mosquito - wear diseases to humans . Current methods to control the species , such as spraying or cloud chemical insecticide , have break due to the mintage becoming resistant . So an substitute answer was need .
“ Our primary military mission is to protect resident in the Florida Keys from all mosquito including the disease - transmittingAedes aegypti . The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District remains committed to seeking out , environmentally - favorable and targeted tools to protect our occupier and to keep our wildlife . " Said Andrea Leal , Executive Director Florida Keys Mosquito Control District in astatement .
“ With full favorable reception from the US EPA and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services , as well as support from the US Centers for Disease Control and an independent advisory board , we are now eager to see the task progress over the coming months , ” Leal added .
The male qualify mosquito being let go of by Oxitec are genetically tweaked so that they express a special protein calledtTa . Once they mate with wildAedes aegyptifemales , the tTa protein is passed on and obliterate female offspring . By doing so , will inhibit the population of raving mad disease - spreadingAedes aegyptiin the arena and could therefore reduce the number of transmitted diseases .
It is cardinal to remember , these genetically tweaked mosquito do not bite and have already been field - test inother countrieswith success . They pose no threat to the environment or to other dirt ball , such as bees and butterfly . Oxitechas get all the necessary regulatory approvals for the genetically modified mosquitos to be released at six strategic locations across the Florida Keys in the month to get .
“ We ’re thankful for the chance to demonstrate the effectiveness of Oxitec ’s technology with such an owing collaborator . The challenge posed by disease - spreading mosquito is growing , not shrinking , progress to this pilot projection a major step forward in wreak Oxitec ’s good , ego - set technology to the US . ” concluded Grey Frandsen , Oxitec ’s CEO .
