Google Proposes 32 Million Sterile Mosquito Release to Fight Mosquito-Borne Disease

Google is seeking EPA approval to release 32 million lab-bred sterile male mosquitoes in Florida and California over two years as part of its Debug initiative, using a Wolbachia bacterial strain to ensure eggs don’t hatch when these males mate with females, thereby reducing the overall mosquito population and the spread of diseases; the plan, which entails 16 million releases in year one and 16 million in year two, is awaiting regulatory approval and details on host locations, reflecting a long history of sterile-insect techniques.