In an effort to fight insect-borne viruses like Zika, dengue fever and malaria, genetically modified mosquitoes are set to be released in the Florida Keys. U.K.-based biotechnology company Oxitec has partnered with the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District in an effort to control the invasive and disease-spreading female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the region. In August 2020, the Keys mosquito control district's board of commissioners approved the agreement for the 2021 release. The EPA has given its approval for the pilot projects in Florida through spring 2022 and Oxitec has pledged to continue public engagement efforts, like the webinars posted to the Oxitec project site. Keys mosquito district Chairman Phil Goodman told Undark that many do not understand Oxitec's technology and are "fearmongering."

Source: Fox News April 17, 2021 17:16 UTC