Florida Considers Releasing Genetically Modified Mosquitoes in The Keys (Video)

Florida is considering releasing a genetically modified mosquito to control the population of a variety that has been linked to two deadly diseases.

Mosquitoes are certainly nothing new to the Florida Keys, but some buzzing around as of late have been linked to two deadly diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya.

The species of mosquito is known as Aedes aegypti, and are easily identifiable by their tiger-like stripes. Getting rid of them is increasingly difficult, as they’ve grown immune to over half of the pesticides formulated to fight against them.

A British company, however, has developed a genetically modified mosquito that could curb the spread of both the illnesses and diminish the existing population. Their version of the flying pest is designed to spawn larvae that die quickly, which would increasingly diminish the number of new mosquitos replacing those that perish naturally.

The specially made ones are also all male, so as it’s the females that do the blood-drawing biting they don’t present that threat to humans.

FDA approval is pending, but despite what drug companies and federal agencies say, a number of people are opposed to the measure. Though the company says they’ve had success with the release of their mosquitoes in both Brazil and the Cayman Islands, there’s been a swelling of opposition about making Florida the next testing ground.

A petition on Change.org has already gathered well over a hundred thousand signatures.