Despite strong opposition, the EPA approved the release of genetically-engineered (GE) mosquitoes in the Florida Keys, and now plans to approve a similar release in California.
Oxitec, the company that’s doing this under the guise of helping human health by reducing mosquito populations, has already released GE mosquitoes in Brazil, Cayman Islands, Panama and Malaysia — and failed to reduce disease rates there.
Worse, Oxitec promised that the mosquitoes could not reproduce and would die off once the releases were terminated. But, according to Gene Watch, a nonprofit group that monitors genetic engineering worldwide, that didn’t happen and now they have permanently changed the mosquito gene pool, creating what the Protect Nature Now Coalition calls “genetic hybrids with unknown characteristics.”
With Oxitec poised to release the mosquitoes in 12 unnamed counties in California, the EPA is taking comments from the public until September 30, 2021. To join the fight by adding your signature to the protest or to make a comment, simply click the button.
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This is both a global and national issue. Please add your name and share the petition with others.
SOURCES:
Protect Nature Now Coalition September 2021
Gene Watch September 2017