2 billion genetically modified mosquitoes to be released soon – La Nouvel Tribune

A program aimed at combating mosquito-borne diseases will soon be used in the United States. The latter actually releases two billion genetically modified mosquitoes in some areas. Florida And inside CaliforniaTo do United States. The project was designed by the British Institute of Technology OxytechWho gave the information this week.

Reduce the rate of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes

According to the latter, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the release of mosquitoes into the wild. More specifically, they are modified male mosquitoes, along with female mosquitoes, designed to give birth to sterile insects. This will reduce the rate of mosquito-borne diseases but also control the number of local mosquitoes.

In a press release, the company’s boss Oxytech, Gray FriendsonHe expressed his satisfaction as follows: “Our team is very proud to have received another milestone approval from the EPA. This expansion of our efforts in the United States reflects the strong partnerships we have formed with a wide range of stakeholders at the local, state and national levels.”. As a reminder, this is not the first time a program aimed at combating mosquito-borne diseases has been used. In 2019, the Malaria Control Program is called The target is malaria An experiment was conducted on Burkina Faso. 1^Er In July, 6000 genetically modified mosquitoes were released for the first time. BanaIn the southeast of the country.