Congressman for Puerto Rico urges use of GM mosquitoes to fight Zika

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As the number of Zika cases in Puerto Rico skyrocket into the thousands, Congressman Pedro Pierluisi, the island’s sole representative, has called for zika-fighting, genetically-modified mosquitoes to be considered for deployment on the island as one way of combating the mosquito-borne illness that is ravaging the Caribbean island.

“I have written to the FDA, the CDC, I have raised the issue in Congress,” Pierluisi [said]. “If it is being used in Florida, it should be used in Puerto Rico as well!”

The congressman, who is allowed to advocate on behalf of the island but cannot vote in Congress, also said more needs to be done to develop a vaccine to protect against the virus.

Getting approval for using GMO mosquitoes throughout Puerto Rico is likely to take months or even years. The modified insects are considered an “animal drug,” meaning there is no emergency fast-track approval for “compassionate use” as there is for human drugs, and the technology would be subject to rigorous review.

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Bring Zika-Fighting GMO Mosquitos to Puerto Rico, Says Congressman

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