The First Genetically-Modified Mosquitoes Released In Florida

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Raise your hand if you had 'mutant mosquitoes' on your 2021 bingo card.

Researchers are releasing 12,000 genetically-modified mosquitoes in six different parts of Florida over the weekend.

The goal is to take out a different, invasive species of mosquito - one that can carry diseases like yellow fever and Zika virus. The modified male mosquitoes mate with females and pass on a lethal gene that prevents more females - who are the ones who bite humans - from being born.

More than 750 million modified mosquitoes will be released over the next two years.


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