US Approves GMO Mosquito Test, But No Release Imminent
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave its final approval Friday for a field trial releasing genetically modified mosquitoes in the Florida Keys.
The FDA said Friday in a statement that after considering thousands of public comments, its Center for Veterinary Medicine concluded the proposal from biotech firm Oxitec would not significantly affect the environment.
Trish Sheldon - a leader in the fight against genetically modified mosquitos told CBS4's Michele Gillen she anticipated this might be the next step.
"There are mosquito eaters. You know there are dragonflies. There are fish and bass that eat mosquitoes. This is a great solution," said Sheldon. "It's harmless to our communities and better than a genetically modified mosquito."
No mosquitoes will be released immediately. Keys officials will hold a nonbinding vote on the proposal for residents in November.
Zika 101: Prevent Spread By Protecting Yourself
Oxitec releases nonbiting male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes modified with synthetic DNA to produce offspring that die outside a lab. The method aims to reduce mosquito populations that spread Zika and other viruses.
Brazil and the Cayman Islands are releasing Oxitec's insects. The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District wants to test them on an island north of Key West.
Click here for more information on the Zika virus or here for more Zika-related stories.
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