Anonymous public comment
AnonymousOpposeIndividual
Summary: A private citizen opposes the issuance of a pesticide experimental use permit, arguing that it subjects the public to experimentation without informed consent. The commenter expresses concerns regarding the potential for unintended ecological consequences and the inability to recall released insects once they are in the environment.
I come here as just a regular citizen to voice my concerns over allowing a company to conduct an experiment on an unwitting public without any expressed consent. Just this very concept should give extreme pause to regulators. Most people do not wish to be experimented upon without their consent. In fact, those subject to the consequences of this research have no avenue for informed consent. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-46.116
The scope of this project is also of great concern, as there are too many unknown factors.
How perfectly will the screening of only male mosquitoes work?
How far from the proposed testing area might these insects travel?
What will be the impact on non-targeted insect populations?
Will there be an impact on other non-targeted creatures, especially those who consume mosquitoes?
How can the released insects be recalled? (They cannot!)
Who will be responsible for the possible unintended consequences of this experiment?
How would affected populations be cared for if things go wrong?
In conclusion, this is a terrible idea that should not go forward without much more extensive testing in controlled environments.