GMO Mosquitos Move A Step Close To Florida Testing

WFSU | By Regan McCarthy

Published August 5, 2016 at 4:39 PM EDT

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a trial of genetically engineered mosquitos designed to reduce the number of the bugs that transmit Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya. Oxitec CEO Hadyn Parry says the next step is a local referendum in November.

“So we will of course wait for that referendum before we go ahead, respecting the outcome that may have,” Parry says.

If the outcome of the referendum is positive, Oxitec will begin a trial of its mosquitos in the Florida keys. Parry says he thinks the U-S government should considering an emergency use regulatory program so that technology like Oxitec’s can be implemented more quickly.