The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the release from Oxitec, the biotechnology company of genetically altered male mosquitoes. 

Oxitec is working to reduce the transmission of harmful diseases from the Aedes aegypti, an insect that accounts for the largest number of cases of human diseases such as Zika and yellow fever.

It’s important to note that these genetically engineered mosquitoes do not bite or cause harm to humans. They are being released in the wild with the intention that the genetically-induced male mosquitoes will mate with female mosquitoes, and their offspring will not be viable.  

Dr.Connie Says: The use of genetically engineered mosquitoes has been tested in Africa and has worked in drastically reducing the numbers of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and thereby reduced significantly the cases of yellow fever and dengue.