Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Approved By FDA To Fight Zika In Florida

The United States has taken another step toward clearing the way for a trial of genetically modified mosquitoes in Florida as a way of reducing populations of mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday that a field trial testing Intrexon Corp’s genetically engineered mosquitoes would not have a significant impact on the environment. The announcement came as Florida officials ramp up aerial pesticide spraying of a neighborhood in Miami. Florida is the first state to report local transmission of the virus. Florida health authorities have identified 16 Zika cases spread by local mosquitoes and expect there may be more. Pregnant women are most at risk from Zika, a virus spread by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. U.S. health officials have concluded that Zika infections in pregnant women can cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems in babies. The Zika outbreak was first detected last year in Brazil and has spread rapidly in the Americas. Intrexon’s Oxitec unit has been working for years to kick off a trial of the mosquitoes in the Florida Keys to assess the effectiveness of its mosquitoes to reduce levels of mosquitoes that carry diseases, including Zika, dengue, Yellow Fever and chikungunya. The FDA has been reviewing Oxitec’s application for use of its technology as an investigational new animal drug. Its environmental assessment helps clear the way for t...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news