Comment submitted by Justina Shamberger
AnonymousOpposeIndividual
Summary: A North Florida resident opposes the pesticide experimental use permit, arguing that the local community has not been sufficiently informed or consulted. The commenter demands more transparency regarding the experiment's methodology, safety data, and environmental impacts before the permit is approved.
I am strongly opposed to this permit application. I am a North Florida resident and this has not been announced or discussed in my community. I am having trouble finding much information online, and I have a lot of questions. Local communities should be given a chance to discuss this rather than have it foisted on us after a 2 page post in the Federal Register containing virtually no information.
Some initial questions that come to mind are:
- What data is being collected within the geographical area of release to determine how successful this experiment is? Are data being collected outside of the initial release area to verify no additional biologic spread?
- How is success or failure defined? Is this measurable?
- What is the accuracy of separating mosquitoes by sex? Is there an independent 3rd party confirming only males are released?
- Where in the state are these mosquitoes proposed to be released? Is there anticipated further spread?
- Is there an acceptable threshold of females being released? If so, have those females been exposed to the bacteria? Does this affect or alter anything with the female mosquito?
- Are the mosquitoes being modified in any other ways?
- What does lab testing show of the proposed bacteria laiden mosquitoes? Has this type of experiment been conducted elsewhere, and what were the results?
- Is FDEP involved? In what capacity?
- Which agencies or 3rd parties are involved in oversight, and at what capacity?
- What are the potential environmental impacts?
- What are the potential human health impacts?
- What are the conditions under which the experiment would be halted?
- What makes Florida and California ideal locations for the release of these mosquitoes? Were other locations considered?
There are a lot more questions than answers. Before my family and I are potentially subjects to an experiment that we did not consent to, more information should be provided and the communities this can and may impact should be informed, including with public meetings where residents can ask questions before this is considered further for approval.