Science And Policy News

Regulatory Gridlock Delays Mosquito Eradication in the US Despite Proven Tech

The US faces a resurgence of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria, yet effective eradication technologies remain stalled by outdated regulatory frameworks. While genetic engineering and Wolbachia bacteria have proven successful in reducing mosquito populations and disease transmission globally, US approval processes have lagged by over a decade. The FDA and EPA have struggled to categorize these biopesticides, leading to prolonged delays in commercial deployment despite urgent public health needs.