Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted an environmental review to determine the potential effect of genetically engineered (GE) mosquitoes (OX513A), developed by Oxitec Ltd., on the Aedes aegypti mosquito, one of the most commonly known carriers of the Zika Virus. The review assessed a proposed field trial to release the GE mosquitoes in Key Haven, Florida in an effort to suppress the local Aedes aegypti mosquito population. Considerations included thousands of public comments submitted to the FDA on this matter.
In early August, the FDA released a final environmental assessment (EA) and a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) both concluding that the proposed trial would have no significant impact. For more information read the full FDA update, here.