Google’s little-known “debugging” program aims to release up to 32 million specially treated mosquitoes in Florida and California over the next two years.
British stone. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Google is asking federal regulators for permission to release up to 32 million specially treated mosquitoes in the state. Florida The program will take place in California and California over the next two years as part of an ambitious effort to curb mosquito-borne diseases.
The proposal, currently under review by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is part of Google’s little-known “Debug” program, which was launched more than a decade ago to develop new technologies aimed at reducing the population of disease-carrying mosquitoes.
The plan calls for releasing male mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia, a naturally occurring bacterium that prevents male mosquitoes from producing offspring when they mate with wild females. Since only female mosquitoes bite humans, experts say releasing the mosquitoes will not increase the number of mosquitoes that bite humans.
“It’s a great concept and we’re putting it into practice to see if it works,” said Chad Huff, public information officer for the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District.
Researchers say the latest proposal targets Culex mosquitoes, which are known for transmitting West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis. West Nile virus is the leading mosquito-borne disease in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“None of these technologies are considered particularly new,” Huff said. “The mosquito control industry has been researching what we call novel control technologies for some time.”
These techniques include sterile insect programs, which aim to reduce mosquito populations without relying solely on chemical pesticides.
“Wolbachia has been around for a while,” Huff said. “You can find mosquitoes that are infected with Wolbachia and they only pose a risk to the mosquito itself. It’s not communicating with people or anything like that.”
When male mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia mate with females, “they just can’t reproduce,” Huff said.
“This could lead to a population decline,” he said. “Those places that are trying to do that, that’s what they’re looking for – to be able to use this mosquito as a means of deterring mosquitoes.”
The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District is already testing a similar approach.
“We’re currently in our second year of trying it,” Huff said. “We did it last season and we’re going to do it again this season.”
Early results are encouraging.
“It’s promising enough that we want to focus more on it,” Huff said. “We did this in a few selected areas last summer and had some very promising results.”
He said the district has observed a decrease in mosquito populations in some test areas.
“We’re definitely seeing a decrease in some areas,” Huff said. “Last season was very promising and we wanted to see a few more, so that’s what we’re doing this season.”
Residents who spoke to Tampa Bay News 10 expressed support and skepticism about Google’s proposal.
“I’m all for it,” Tara Nye said. “Anything to reduce the population here is at the top of my agenda.”
Nye said the potential public health benefits make the idea worth considering.
“Mosquitoes are the number one cause of death in humans,” she said. “I mean, why not help humans?”
Christian Diprima is cautiously supportive.
“If it’s proven to be effective and stops them from reproducing more, I think it might work,” he said, later adding, “I support it.”
Others are more hesitant.
“You know, when you make a commitment like this, you really can’t back out,” said Alan Teschner, who questioned the potential health risks that such a massive release could pose.
Brent Nye said he would prefer to see the technology tested elsewhere first.
“I think it’s interesting,” he said. “I’m not sure I want them in my backyard because there are so many things that could go wrong. I’d rather have the experiment in another state.”
Huff said concerns about an increase in mosquito bites are misplaced because male mosquitoes do not bite humans.
“Male mosquitoes have never bitten anyone,” he said. “It’s not like you release a male mosquito and it bites you.”
Google said artificial intelligence and robotic systems will be used to breed, sort and release mosquitoes at a large enough scale to make the strategy effective.
The EPA will accept public comments on the proposal until June 5 before deciding whether to approve the experimental use permit. Regulators have yet to determine where the information will be released if the project goes ahead.
