First genetically modified mosquitoes released in US -- to tackle yellow fever, Zika virus

26 Views
Genetically altered mosquitoes have been released for the first time in the US state of Florida for a project meant to reduce the spread of deadly diseases like dengue, yellow fever, and the Zika virus.
Advertisement
According to Reuters, Oxitec, a British-based biotechnology firm, and the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) launched the new project after an odyssey spanning more than a decade to secure regulatory approval.
Oxitec and local authorities said they started the project to reduce Aedes aegypti species spreading these diseases.
It is understood that half a dozen boxes containing the OX5034 mosquito created by the biotech firm were released in the Florida Keys, an archipelago stretching 120 miles (195 km) off the southern tip of the state.

Related Keywords

Florida Keys ,Florida ,United States ,Malaysia ,United Kingdom ,Panama ,Cayman Islands ,Brazil ,Meredith Fensom ,Reuters ,Florida Keys Mosquito Control District ,Andrea Leal ,Mosquito Control ,புளோரிடா விசைகள் ,புளோரிடா ,ஒன்றுபட்டது மாநிலங்களில் ,மலேசியா ,ஒன்றுபட்டது கிஂக்டம் ,பனாமா ,கேமன் தீவுகள் ,பிரேசில் ,ராய்ட்டர்ஸ் ,புளோரிடா விசைகள் கொசு கட்டுப்பாடு மாவட்டம் ,ஆண்ட்ரியா லீல் ,கொசு கட்டுப்பாடு ,