www.nairaland.com/attachments/12172219_istock000086563783medium7427907252_jpegf38b179e3dc2f47fe0c0de3f4f53bd96

It is hoped the genetically engineered insects can help control populations of disease-spreading mosquitoes.

British-based firm Oxitec has designed the project to test whether the altered mosquitoes are a viable alternative to pesticides to control and prevent the spread of diseases, including Zika and dengue.

In 2021, they will also be released in Harris County, Texas.

The male mosquito, called OX5034, is designed to produce female offspring which die when reaching the larval stage.

A protein is passed on which kills them before they hatch and are big enough to spread disease and bite. Male mosquitoes do not need to bite for blood as they feed on nectar.

This will be the first time genetically engineered mosquitoes will be released anywhere in the US, raising questions over the safety of the plan.

Dana Perls, a programme manager at Friends of the Earth, said: "The release of genetically engineered mosquitoes will needlessly put Floridians, the environment and endangered species at risk in the midst of a pandemic."

However, in a trial in Brazil where the engineered mosquito was released, Oxitec said they did not cause harm to other insects.

A decline in the population of disease-carrying mosquitoes was also seen in this trial.

Oxitec chief executive Grey Frandsen said: "We're looking forward to working hand-in-hand with the Keys community to demonstrate the effectiveness of our safe, sustainable technology in light of the growing challenges controlling this disease-spreading mosquito."

According to The World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately half of the world's population are at risk of dengue with 390 million infections happening a year.

In 2016, Zika was declared an international emergency. It was later downgraded but the WHO said it was still a "significant public health challenge requiring intense action".

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/750-million-genetically-modified-mosquitoes-to-be-released-across-florida-keys-12052874

Amazing development.

Shellsploit:
Amazing development.

don't be too sure my oga, these people are not telling us the truth.

Nice.... Science really pushing the limits

Hmmm! Since COVID-19 I seldom trust these people again

Wow for real

Here in Africa, we wait for religion.

Macsjebs:
www.nairaland.com/attachments/12172219_istock000086563783medium7427907252_jpegf38b179e3dc2f47fe0c0de3f4f53bd96

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/750-million-genetically-modified-mosquitoes-to-be-released-across-florida-keys-12052874

cc: lalasticlala, mynd44, dominique

This isn't exactly new.

The first time I heard about this particular project was during the Zika virus outbreak- I think that was around 2017/2018. As at that time, they had gone really far with it.

The outbreak of the Zika virus sort of made it such a big deal back then with scientists working at break-neck speed towards it. Right after the virus, it sort of fell of the news radar to the extent that I thought that they had totally abandoned the research entirely.

But as it appears in this story, they clearly haven't.

Them try o

Righteousness89, these end time people are still putting more effort to introduce end time agents to the world. What can you say about this?

Righteousness89:
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Nuisance