Barry Law Environmental and Earth Law Journal

When you think of genetic engineering, you might be thinking of superheroes such as Spider-Man or Luke Cage, genetically modified organisms (GMO) products, or even surprisingly, human insulin, a medicine used to treat diabetics. What if I told you, there are strains of mosquitos are produced in laboratories, on purpose? [1] Although most people in Florida have heard the story of lovebugs, where an experiment went wrong and created insects that splatter on cars and windows, that story is fortunately untrue. [2] In 2020, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) for the first time in the United States approved Oxitec, a biotechnology firm, to release up to 750 million genetically modified mosquitos in 2021 and 2022. [3]  

Outbreak of vector borne disease 

As climate change becomes a global problem, administrative agencies are tackling the impact on human and environmental health. [4] As temperatures rise, there is an interference with the environment’s native wildlife, whereas animals are forced to migrate. [5] Aedes aegypti mosquitos from Africa, carry vector borne diseases such as yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, zika, and other viruses grow rapidly and have traveled beyond Africa to 34 countries and territories. [6] [7]

Dengue is the most common vector-borne disease in the world, causing about 50 to 100 million infections globally each year. [8] In Brazil and French Polynesia, there was a rapid spread of zika virus which caused a worldwide public health emergency in 2016; there was a spike of newborn babies with abnormally small heads, called microcephaly, stemming from mothers infected with zika. [9] The US has outbreaks reported in Hawaii, Texas, and the Florida Keys & Key West. [10] After the 2009-2010 dengue outbreak in Key West, Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) has worked with Oxitec to reduce Ae. aegypti mosquitos Florida Keys. [11]

Genetically modified mosquitos launches

Ae. aegypti mosquitos cause outbreaks by feeding on infected primates (human or non-human) during the first week of the infection and they transmit it to another primate. [12] The infected mosquito lives long enough for the virus to multiply to start an outbreak. [13]

To stop the spread, Oxitec has bioengineered non-biting male Ae. Aegypti mosquitos mate with the female population, which is responsible for transmitting diseases. [14] The GM mosquitos carry a gene that kills female offspring in the early larval stages. [15] However, male offspring will carry the kill gene to pass to future generations, which in turn ultimately leads to a decrease in population. [16]

Oxitec has previously field-tested the GM mosquitos in Brazil, Panama, the Cayman Islands, and Malaysia, which were proven to be a success. [17] The trial in Brazil reduced Aedes aegypti mosquitos by 88 – 99%. [18] Approved by the EPA, Oxitec, in 2021, released approximately 144,000 mosquitos into the Florida Keys. [19]

EPA regulates the use of GM mosquitos

The use of GM mosquitos is regulated by the EPA, however, EPA authorization requires approval from state and local authorities. [20] The EPA must then grant an Experimental Use Permit (EUP). [22] Approvals come with guidelines on what to do in the event of natural disasters. [23] In addition, the EPA has restricted the release of GM mosquitos from the immediate vicinity of livestock and agricultural facilities. [24]

Public disapproval

Many people are concerned about GM mosquitos released in their neighborhoods. [25]Many people are concerned because they do not understand the technology, although Oxitec has held 14 public webinars and gone door to door to talk to the Florida Keys residents about the technology. [26] It is easy to understand why people do not trust big corporations, especially when those companies are making millions of dollars from their implementation. 

There are concerns that mosquitos will start becoming resistant to the GM mosquitos and it will increase the risk of antibiotic drug-resistant infections in humans. [27] Individuals who are in residences where GM mosquitos are released should be involved in decisions that affect them. Environmental activists say they feel betrayed by federal regulatory agencies and they will pursue legal actions if necessary. [28] Friends of the Earth and other environmental groups were hoping the EPA would put a stop to Oxitec; 237,000 have signed a change.org petition to stop the release of GMO mosquitos in Florida. [29]

Outcome

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration and EPA approved and expanded plans to release up to 2.4 million genetically modified adult male mosquitos and eggs in Monroe County, Florida; and Stanislaus, Fresno, Tulare, and San Bernardino counties in California. [30] The experiment will approximately come to an end on April 30, 2024. [31]

When this new technology passes the experimental phase, there can be many lives saved. In Africa, 1,000,000 Africans die per year from mosquito bites. [32] If GM mosquitos can be used there to tackle fetal diseases such as yellow fever, zika virus, West Nile virus, dengue fever, and malaria, it will improve the livelihood in these areas and save many lives.

Written by 2022-2023 Associate Editor, Darlene Afriyie