Key facts
- Google's Verily is seeking federal approval for its 'Debug' program.
- The program plans to release up to 32 million genetically modified mosquitoes.
- The planned release sites are California and Florida.
- The goal is to combat disease-carrying mosquitoes by reducing their population.
- The EPA is reviewing the request for an experimental permit.
Google's life sciences division, Verily, is pursuing a novel public health strategy by seeking approval for its 'Debug' program. This initiative aims to control disease-carrying mosquitoes, specifically the Aedes aegypti species, by releasing millions of sterile, genetically modified mosquitoes. The goal is to reduce the transmission of serious illnesses such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever, chikungunya, and West Nile virus.