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The FDA has completed the environmental review for a proposed field trial to determine whether the release of Oxitec Ltd.'s genetically engineered (GE) mosquitoes (OX513A) will suppress the local Aedes aegypti mosquito population in the release area at Key Haven, Florida. After considering thousands of public comments, the FDA has published a final environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) that agrees with the EA's conclusion that the proposed field trial will not have significant impacts on the environment.
[The genetically engineered mosquitoes possess a] self-limiting gene that prevents the offspring from surviving. Male modified mosquitoes, which do not bite or spread disease, are released to mate with the pest females. Their offspring inherit the self-limiting gene and die before reaching adulthood—before they can reproduce or spread disease.
[Release of the OX513A mosquitoes in both Brazil and the Cayman Islands] strongly suppressed the target wild population—by 80–95%
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm490246.htm
http://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0003864
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aedes_aegypti#Genetic_modification
Previously: Genetically-Modified Mosquito Company Expands Operations
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 19 2016, @03:40AM
They'll monitor the population of the pest mosquitoes for a couple years, then declare victory.
It's more complicated than that though. They're messing with the whole ecosystem, so the influx of these crippled mosquitoes might depress the population of birds, fish, and other predators. That's not so easy to explain in a 20 second sound bite.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 19 2016, @03:58AM
Similar sterile mosquito releases have been done many times in the past (with irradiated mosquitoes) so any large problems probably would've been noticed.
(Score: 2) by art guerrilla on Friday August 19 2016, @11:01AM
um, there WERE/are problems, only they were dismissed or rejected as meaningful by, um, well by the people who produce the tests ! ! !
(Score: 2) by Immerman on Friday August 19 2016, @04:03AM
Will it? Or will other tiny nectar-eaters fill the abandoned niche? Possibly other species of mosquitoes that carry fewer dangerous pathogens, or that don't suck blood.
(Score: 2) by PinkyGigglebrain on Friday August 19 2016, @04:12AM
Most mosquitoes species bite. The females need the protein for their eggs, though not all bite humans. The rest of the time the females feed on nectar just like the males.
"Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 19 2016, @07:53AM
They can't reproduce viable offspring and they live less than 60 days. None of these mutant ninja mosquitos will be around for long. Other species of mosquitos - preferably ones that carry acceptable diseases - will take their place. BTW, this species of mosquito is not native to FL, has only been around for a few decades and will not be missed.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 19 2016, @12:02PM
> Other species of mosquitos - preferably ones that carry acceptable diseases - will take their place.
That's the best case scenario. As you said, these mosquitoes are an invasive species. They may have altered the food chain enough that it can never return to the previous state of balance and removing these mosquitoes will cause it to careen even further out of whack. Also there is good evidence that other species carry zika too, they just aren't quite as virulent because this species bites frequently and "sips" while the others bite less often and take deep drinks.
(Score: 2) by ese002 on Saturday August 20 2016, @01:07AM
It's more complicated than that though. They're messing with the whole ecosystem, so the influx of these crippled mosquitoes might depress the population of birds, fish, and other predators.
You might have a point if Aedes aegypt were native to region where the crippled mosquitoes are being released. However, they are not. Thus native plants and animals are not in any way dependent on Aedes aegypt. If you could somehow exterminate Aedes aegypt from Florida, the worst what would happen is the ecosystem would more closely resemble what it was before Aedes aegypt was introduced.