The Florida Keys are one step closer to getting genetically modified mosquitoes

An international biotech company is one step closer to being able to release genetically modified mosquitoes in the Florida Keys.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services this week granted Oxitec an experimental use permit to release potentially millions of lab-made male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes throughout Monroe County.

The goal is to wipe out the Keys population of the invasive bugs, which carry diseases like dengue fever, Zika and yellow fever. The Florida Department of Health reported a case of dengue fever in the Keys in March.

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The mosquito strategy that could eliminate dengue

Genetically modified mosquitoes to be released in the Florida Keys to combat dengue, zika, and yellow fever.

Tackling Dengue fever by turning female mosquitoes into males.