Tell the FDA to Block the Release of Frankenmosquitoes in Florida!

Earlier this month, the FDA decided that the release of genetically engineered mosquitoes in Key Haven, Florida, would have “no significant impact”—which means that the approval for their release is imminent. The agency’s determination is based largely on data submitted by Oxitec, the company producing the GM mosquitoes.

This is a terrible idea for a number of reasons. The current Zika outbreak in Brazil may linked to the release of Oxitec’s GM mosquitoes in Brazil three years ago, also for the purpose of combating dengue fever. Additionally, a recent study showed that the GM mosquitoes released in Brazil did not, in fact, lead to a drop in dengue fever.

Write to the FDA and urge them NOT to approve Oxitec’s release of GM mosquitoes in Florida.

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Please BLOCK the Release of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes in Florida

Dear [Decision Maker],

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I was distressed to learn that the FDA released a draft environmental assessment saying that the release of genetically engineered mosquitoes in Key Haven, Florida, would have "no significant impact." Your agency's determination is based largely on data submitted by Oxitec, the company producing the GM mosquitoes.

The stated purpose of this experiment -- and make no mistake, this is all wildly experimental, and widely criticized -- is to eradicate mosquito populations that are responsible for spreading diseases like dengue fever and Zika. But many experts believe the current Zika outbreak in Brazil may linked to the release of Oxitec's GM mosquitoes there three years ago, which was also done for the purpose of combating dengue fever. The antibiotic tetracycline in the environment could be overriding the genetically modified DNA in the mosquitoes, resulting in increased survival rates of the disease-carrying insects.

Additionally, a recent study showed that the GM mosquitoes released in Brazil did not, in fact, lead to a drop in dengue fever. 
Also, the Aedes aegypti mosquito is not native to the Florida Keys. Will the more virulent Asian tiger mosquito, which also carries dengue fever, fill the void left by the reductions in numbers of A. aegypti? Will the dengue virus mutate (think antibiotic-resistant MRSA) and become even more dangerous?

How will the genetically modified mosquitoes affect the bat population that relies on them for food? Bats are an exceptionally important part of most natural systems, and other animals could be affected as well.

Where are the peer-reviewed safety studies to support Oxitec's safety claims? What evidence led the FDA to deem this new population of mosquitoes ecologically safe? Your agency has not been at all transparent about their clinical trial for safety. And, as noted above, your agency's determination is based almost exclusively on Oxitec's analysis.

I urge you NOT to approve Oxitec's release of GM mosquitoes in Florida.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]