California could attempt to eradicate disease-carrying mosquitoes — ironically by releasing more mosquitoes into the ecosystem.
The plan, approved by federal regulators last week and currently under review by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, would release 2 million genetically modified mosquitoes throughout the state in the coming years in an effort to eliminate the species known as aedes aegypti, according to reporting from the San Jose Mercury News.
The invasive species emerged in L.A. County in 2011 and has since spread to 20 different counties. The mosquitoes carry multiple viruses, including Zika, dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya.
To combat the dangerous mosquitoes' spread, a British bio-technology company called Oxitec developed a genetically modified male version of aedes aegpyti called OX5034.
This altered species carries a "kill switch" gene causing all of its the female offspring to die during childhood, the paper reported. Only the females are dangerous as the males do not naturally bite humans. The genetically engineered bugs will only mate with their own species, and scientists hope that as the males survive they will pass the deadly gene to future generations, eventually causing the collapse of the population.
If approved, the state will first introduce the species to Visalia, with potential expansion to Fresno, San Bernadino and Stanislaus County. The outlet reported that Visalia was selected because the mosquito concentration is highest in urban settings, such as backyards.
Advocates of the proposal champion the plan as a more enviornmentally friendly alternative to using pesticides, while opponents argue that there is no data supporting the claim that this plan will eradicate the mosquitoes. Furthermore, none of the possible diseases have been transmitted in California, opponents told the paper.
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