Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Being Released To Battle Deadly Diseases

"The EPA has approved the release of more than 2 billion genetically altered male mosquitoes in Florida and California following a pilot program last year in the Florida Keys.
Oxitec, the biotechnology company that developed the mosquitoes, says the project’s goal is to reduce the transmission of harmful diseases -- such as dengue, Zika and yellow fever.
Some environmental advocacy groups are concerned about the potential impacts of the genetically altered insects: “Once you release these mosquitoes into the environment, you cannot recall them.”
Millions of genetically altered mosquitoes that seek to ward off their natural, disease-causing counterparts may soon be released in Florida and California after the Environmental Protection Agency approved a plan to further test the modified insects.

Developed by the biotechnology company Oxitec, the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are genetically modified so that males, which do not bite, are released into the wild and mate with females, which do bite. Their offspring are either male or females that never survive to reach maturity, the company says.

Millions of the mosquitoes were released in the Florida Keys in a pilot project last year, and the EPA has authorized the extension of the project in Florida as well as the expansion into four counties in California, pending approval from the states' regulators."
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/03/08/genetically-modified-mosquitoes-florida-california/9424548002/

"Knight warned the board of the dangers of “genetically-modified mosquitoes," saying the British biotech company Oxitec had released "weaponized bugs" in several California counties, but the company says it has bred and released genetically modified mosquitoes in the Florida Keys meant to fight an invasive species that spread yellow fever."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/downright-idiots-california-republican-blasts-fellow-gop-officials-for-elevation-of-weaponized-bug-conspiracist/ar-AA1hV8WD

Genetically modified mosquitoes and vaccines -- what you need to know about dengue fever
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/genetically-modified-mosquitoes-vaccines-dengue-fever/story?id=103511659

First-ever US release of genetically modified mosquitoes begins in Florida Keys
https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/30/health/genetically-modified-mosquitoes-us-scn-wellness/index.html

US poised to release 2.4bn genetically modified male mosquitoes to battle deadly diseases
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/26/us-release-genetically-modified-mosquitoes-diseases

WHO issues new guidance for research on genetically modified mosquitoes to fight malaria and other vector-borne diseases
https://www.who.int/news/item/19-05-2021-who-issues-new-guidance-for-research-on-genetically-modified-mosquitoes-to-fight-malaria-and-other-vector-borne-diseases

Genetically Modified Mosquitoes
https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-control/community/emerging-methods/genetically-modified-mosquitoes.html