https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-0274-0470
On the basis of the information furnished by you, the subject Experimental Use Permit (EUP) under section 5 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is hereby amended and extended for the release of OX5034 Aedes aegypti mosquitoes containing Tetracycline Trans-Activator Variant (tTAV-OX5034) protein and the genetic material (from vector pOX5034) necessary to produce the protein in vivo. The EUP, which is authorized only in the states of Florida and California, will evaluate efficacy of release of adult and eggs of OX5034 Aedes aegypti mosquitoes against wild Aedes aegypti mosquitoes within Monroe County, Florida and Stanislaus, Fresno, Tulare, and San Bernardino counties, California. Shipment and/or use under this permit are subject to the provisions of 40 CFR Part 172.
As much as I hate mosquitos, they do contribute to nutrient transfer from large animals to small. If this pilot program works, I could see it being used to eventually wipe out mosquitos and I hope ecosystems can handle that loss on top of everything else dying these days.
These specifically are invasive species to these states and negatively impact the ecosystem. It won’t affect native species.
Edit to add that these mosquitos are the carriers of yellow and dengue fever.
Yeah, I understand, and if they only target this particular species (and the targeting is effective and doesn’t spill over to other species), then maybe it won’t be as bad as I worry it could be. Hopefully that protein doesn’t affect the species up the food chain, too.
It just seems like our history is full of things we’ve started doing with good or neutral intentions only to discover unintended effects down the line, but sometimes we’re too entrenched by the time we see it to change.