Atleast 750 million genetically modified mosquitoes will be released in Florida wild by next year 2021. This new breed of insect known as OX513A aims to reduce rates of the mosquito-borne illnesses, a substitute for Aedes aegypti, a mosquito type that carries deadly disease such Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever.
After years of deliberations from environmental groups who warned the possible consequences, the project had finally gets green-light from authorities.
Despite activists warned of possible effect to ecosystem or to humans, the company clarified that the project is safe.
When the newly developed OX5034 mosquitoes mate with wild female, their offspring would die at the larval stage before they reach a mature biting mosquito.
Only female mosquitoes bite humans because they need blood to produce eggs. Males on the other hand only feed on nectar, will survive and pass on the genes.
Oxitec scientist told AP news agency: "We have released over a billion of our mosquitoes over the years. There is no potential for risk to the environment or humans".
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