To: EPA
Tell the EPA: Say NO to releasing GMO mosquitoes in Florida and Texas!
I urge the Environmental Protection Agency to reject Oxitec’s application to release millions of genetically engineered mosquitoes in Florida, Texas or anywhere in the U.S. (EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-0756-0001). This experiment would put our health and environment at risk and may impact Florida and Texas’ economies, both of which depend on tourism.
While limiting mosquito populations and the spread of mosquito-borne disease is important, this experiment is risky for our environment and public health and is fraught with many unanswered and critical questions.
We request that the EPA reject Oxitec’s application for genetically engineered mosquitoes and:
• Because this is the first genetically engineered insect to be reviewed as a pesticide, the EPA must reveal its analysis of the environmental, health and social impacts of Oxitec’s GMO mosquito release proposal;
• Have a committee of independent ecologists and entomologists, public health experts (including dengue fever and Zika virus specialists), and other key experts and public stakeholders review the proposal from Oxitec;
• Convene public meetings in Monroe County, FL (the Florida Keys) and Harris County, Texas, advertised in the Federal Register, for the review of the company’s proposal with the above committee present; and
• Develop new regulations for genetically engineered insects designed to be bio-pesticides -- only after these regulations are in place should EPA consider an application for GE insects.
Our government agencies must not rely only on data from the companies that would profit from genetically engineered organisms to decide what information the public and regulators should know. Until the above requests are met, the application for the field release of genetically engineered mosquitoes must not be allowed to move forward.
Sincerely,
While limiting mosquito populations and the spread of mosquito-borne disease is important, this experiment is risky for our environment and public health and is fraught with many unanswered and critical questions.
We request that the EPA reject Oxitec’s application for genetically engineered mosquitoes and:
• Because this is the first genetically engineered insect to be reviewed as a pesticide, the EPA must reveal its analysis of the environmental, health and social impacts of Oxitec’s GMO mosquito release proposal;
• Have a committee of independent ecologists and entomologists, public health experts (including dengue fever and Zika virus specialists), and other key experts and public stakeholders review the proposal from Oxitec;
• Convene public meetings in Monroe County, FL (the Florida Keys) and Harris County, Texas, advertised in the Federal Register, for the review of the company’s proposal with the above committee present; and
• Develop new regulations for genetically engineered insects designed to be bio-pesticides -- only after these regulations are in place should EPA consider an application for GE insects.
Our government agencies must not rely only on data from the companies that would profit from genetically engineered organisms to decide what information the public and regulators should know. Until the above requests are met, the application for the field release of genetically engineered mosquitoes must not be allowed to move forward.
Sincerely,
Why is this important?
Oxitec, owned by biotech giant Intrexon, wants to release millions of GMO mosquitoes in Florida and Texas. These mosquitoes could pose major risks to fragile ecosystems like the Florida Keys and may pose risks to our health.
Our environment should not be a testing ground for risky new GMO technologies. We need to stop these experimental mosquitoes before they are released from labs into our environment.
Our environment should not be a testing ground for risky new GMO technologies. We need to stop these experimental mosquitoes before they are released from labs into our environment.