The new species, codenames OX5034, is made up entirely of male mosquitos. The new species is derived from the Aedes aegypti family of mosquitos. Just like others the company has released, this new 2 billion should produce larvae that die off before they reach adulthood. This is thanks to the self-limiting gene that Oxitec has created.
The new gene essentially disrupts the generation of essential proteins the larvae need to develop. Without the needed proteins, it is unable to complete its development process.
With the success of last year’s Florida release, the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Oxitec for additional releases in the Florida Keys. The EPA has also approved a new program with the Delta Mosquito and Vector Control District in California. Furthermore, Oxitec says that it is reaching out to other state regulators to get programs running in more states, too.
Female mosquitos are the only mosquitos that bite and are attracted to human blood. Because the new genetically modified mosquitos are all male, the genetic modifications shouldn’t pose any danger to people that encounter them. Read more info.. news.yahoo.com/2-billion-genetically-modified-mosquitos-205200126.html
