Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Released In Brazil To Battle Disease

Brazilian scientists released millions of genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild to combat a dramatic outbreak of dengue fever. The illness prompted a public health emergency declaration by the government and the release of the insects, which are also in the U.S.

Global health officials report over a million cases of dengue fever this year just through February. Live Science reported this is a highly unusual figure, especially considering approximately half of the world’s population resides in high-risk areas.

There is no treatment for dengue fever, which is often fatal.

The Associated Press noted a staggering 42,000 cases have been diagnosed in Rio de Janeiro since the start of the near year. This prompted authorities to permit private companies to breed these modified mosquitoes.

The insects carry genes that kill female mosquitoes before they reach adulthood. The fever spreads through the female insect population.

Peru is especially hard hit with 100,000 infected and 200 already dead from the fever.

Spearheading this effort is British-based biotechnology firm Oxitec. General Manager Natalia Ferreira told Reuters that their effort may reduce the population of the species of mosquito primarily responsible for dengue fever by up to 90%.

The U.S. has also been subjected to Oxitec’s modified organisms. In 2021 and 2022, up to a billion of these mosquitoes were set loose across the Florida Keys. 

There was pushback from local residents, who signed a petition against the release of the modified mosquitoes. Petitions circulated and some locals referred to the work as a method of “terrorism.”

As it is new technology, there are no long-term studies on the effects of releasing these insects into the environment. Some speculate that when these mosquitoes produce offspring, their genes will intermingle with native populations.

The consequences of which are unknown. The mosquitoes are also engineered to emit a fluorescent light, resulting in easier identification and study. 

Despite this lack of understanding, the Environmental Protection Agency rubber-stamped the operation. Boxes of the engineered mosquitoes were opened at the southern end of Florida.

Similar efforts have been undertaken in Panama, the Cayman Islands and Malaysia. And now, of course, in Brazil.