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posted by martyb on Friday August 19 2016, @03:29AM   Printer-friendly
from the shooting-blanks dept.

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


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  • (Score: 2) by Immerman on Friday August 19 2016, @04:03AM

    by Immerman (3985) on Friday August 19 2016, @04:03AM (#389908)

    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.

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  • (Score: 2) by PinkyGigglebrain on Friday August 19 2016, @04:12AM

    by PinkyGigglebrain (4458) on Friday August 19 2016, @04:12AM (#389912)

    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."