U.S. FDA OKs GE mosquito trial to fight Zika

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday approved a British company's field trial that would release genetically engineered (GE) mosquitoes in Florida to fight Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases.

The FDA said in its final environmental assessment that it considered thousands of public comments and found the proposed trial by Oxitec "will not have significant impacts on the environment."

But that does not mean that Oxitec's GE mosquitoes are approved for commercial use, it said, noting that the company should work together with its local partner, the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, to determine whether and when to begin the field trial.

The purpose of the trial is to determine the efficacy of Oxitec's GE mosquitoes for the control of the local population of Aedes aegypti in Key Haven, Monroe County, Florida.

The method involved using modified male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which do not bite or spread disease.

Once these mosquitoes are released to mate with wild females, over 95 percent of their offspring die before reaching adulthood, therefore reducing the population.

Brazil, Panama and the Cayman Islands have tested this approach, and in these trials the population of Aedes aegypti was reduced by more than 90 percent, the company said.

"We've been developing this approach for many years, and from these results we are convinced that our solution is both highly effective and has sound environmental credentials," Oxitec's Chief Executive Officer Hadyn Parry said in a statement.

"We're delighted with the announcement today that the FDA, ... We are now looking forward to working with the community in the Florida Keys moving forward," Parry added.

Zika virus infections often begin with a headache. Within a few days patients may develop a rash, bloodshot eyes, and run a fever. Some patients may also develop joint pains in their wrists, knees, and ankles, as well as muscle pain, and pain behind the eyes. Enditem