Scientists will put 750 million genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild. This is to reduce the number of insects that have diseases like yellow fever. It will start next year in a chain of tropical islands south of Florida. The modified mosquitoes are all male. They carry a protein that will kill young females before they reach biting age. Only female mosquitoes feed on our blood and bite us. Scientists hope to cut the number of disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Environmental groups are not happy. One group called it a "Jurassic Park experiment". It called Florida "a testing ground for mutant bugs". It warned the project could damage ecosystems. The experiment could create a new super-species of mosquito. One environmental group said the mosquitoes would put people, the environment and endangered species at risk. The company releasing the mosquitoes said there was no risk.