Question

How do the reactions of the Juazeiro residents to the use of OX513A mosquitoes compare with the reactions of the Key West residents? What might account for the differences in the reactions of the two populations?

Answer 1

The question concerns dengue viruses infected by mosquitoes and how it was treated differently in two different places. In Brazilian city, Juazeiro, there is an insect research facility which uses a mosquito against mosquitoes. A mosquito named OX513A is an unharmful mosquito which destroys harmful mosquitoes carrying dengue virus. For the same situation, in Key West, Florida people were not okay with the introduction of the new insect. The center of the disagreement was actually people's fear. It was fear that was driving them to go against the new methodology. However, the new solution was much better alternative.

Answer 2

Since Oxitec (Oxford Insect Technologies), first released their OX513A, genetically modified mosquitoes in Juazeiro, a small town in Brazil, residents have treated these scientific teams and their mosquitoes with utter reverance. In Juazeiro, only a few families remain unaffected by dengue, and the inhabitants look at this method filled with hope, as something that might prevent the disease from spreading.

On the other side, people who live in Key West, Florida, have a complete different approach to this issue. They say that this is the first time the authorities are releasing these genetically modified mosquitoes, and they have not given their consent. They have also been leading a four-year campaign to block the trial until more research is conducted. They consider that this decision that might be implemented, goes against their right to choose and their own indipendence.