Why Is Florida Releasing 750 Million GMO Mosquitoes?

The U.S. EPA recently gave the green light to release millions of genetically modified mosquitoes in the Florida Keys. Why are they doing this, and what are the potential risks? » Subscribe to Seeker! http://bit.ly/subscribeseeker » Watch more Elements! http://bit.ly/ElementsPlaylist » Visit our shop at http://shop.seeker.com In May 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave the go ahead to release hundreds of millions of genetically modified mosquitoes in the Florida Keys. Mosquitoes are considered the deadliest animals in the world—they carry a variety of diseases including but not limited to malaria and yellow fever. Mosquitoes cause hundreds of thousands of deaths each year as a result of their bites. One mosquito species in particular, Aedes aegypti, can spread several diseases like dengue, zika, and yellow fever and is considered a serious threat to public health. So why would anyone in their right mind what to purposefully release hundreds of these into the world? Find out in this Elements. #mosquito #gmo #EPA #florida #science #environment #seeker #elements Read More: Florida mosquitoes: 750 million genetically modified insects to be released https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-can... "The green-lighting of a pilot project after years of debate drew a swift outcry from environmental groups, who warned of unintended consequences. One group condemned the plan as a public 'Jurassic Park experiment'." Study on DNA spread by genetically modified mosquitoes prompts backlash https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/... "A team of independent researchers analyzing an early trial of Oxitec’s technology is raising alarm—and drawing fire from the firm—with a report that some offspring of the GM mosquitoes survived and produced offspring that also made it to sexual maturity." This May Be the Deadliest Creature on Earth https://www.nationalgeographic.com/ma... "We squash mosquitoes with our enormous hands. We poison-bomb them from spray trucks and airplanes. We irradiate them, drain their habitats, breed them experimentally in laboratories to confound their DNA." ____________________ Elements is more than just a science show. It’s your science-loving best friend, tasked with keeping you updated and interested on all the compelling, innovative and groundbreaking science happening all around us. Join our passionate hosts as they help break down and present fascinating science, from quarks to quantum theory and beyond. Seeker empowers the curious to understand the science shaping our world. We tell award-winning stories about the natural forces and groundbreaking innovations that impact our lives, our planet, and our universe. Visit the Seeker website https://www.seeker.com/videos Elements on Facebook   / seekerelements   Subscribe now! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_c... Seeker on Twitter   / seeker   Seeker on Facebook   / seekermedia   Seeker http://www.seeker.com/