The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved a British biotech firm's application to release 2.4 million genetically altered mosquitoes into the wild as an "Experimental pesticide product."
The experimental public health effort, which still requires final approval from state regulators, follows the 2021 release of 144,000 genetically modified mosquitoes in the Florida Keys by British biotech firm Oxitec.
Oxitec said its genetically modified male, and thus non-biting, mosquitoes "Find and mate with invasive female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, mediating a reduction of the target population as the female offspring of these encounters cannot survive," thus reducing the overall population.
Oxitec's mosquito release - which the EPA calls an "Experimental pesticide product" - can take place in a 34,760-acre area across the two states between now and April 30, 2024, when the experiment ends.
Oxitec, the leading developer of biological pest control solutions, is proud to announce the publication by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of its approval to conduct pilot projects of Oxitec's safe, non-biting, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in California and Florida.
Two pilot projects were approved, one with the Delta Mosquito and Vector Control District in California and one with the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District in Florida.
Oxitec's safe, sustainable and targeted biological pest control technology does not harm beneficial insects* like bees and butterflies and is proven to control the disease transmitting Aedes aegypti mosquito, which has invaded communities in Florida, California and other U.S. states.
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