Google plans to release 32 million infected mosquitoes in the U.S. — Bild
The American corporation Google has approached U.S. authorities with a proposal to release 32 million genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild in California and Florida.
The environmental project, called “Debug,” is scheduled to be implemented over the next two years and aims to drastically reduce the population of dangerous insects.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently reviewing the company’s application in detail.
The technology behind this large-scale experiment involves breeding and releasing into the environment exclusively male mosquitoes that carry the specific bacterium “Wolbachia.”
The study’s organizers note that these mosquitoes do not bite humans and are therefore completely safe for the local population.
The main goal of the project is to have the laboratory-bred males mate with wild females, which is expected to eliminate their offspring.
As a result of this biological interaction, the insects’ eggs become non-viable, leading to the natural extinction of the pests.
To finalize this large-scale biological project, authorities plan to organize and hold open public discussions involving the community.
They intend to involve relevant experts and residents of the states where the lab-bred mosquitoes will be released in resolving this controversial issue.
Only after a detailed analysis of all possible risks to American regions will the relevant agency make a final decision.
Bild reports on this.
A million for a phone vulnerability: Google will pay up to $1.5 million for Android vulnerabilities
Google is introducing new AI features in Gmail
