Comment submitted by Bryan Garcia
AnonymousOpposeIndividual
Summary: An individual is opposing the issuance of a pesticide experimental use permit for the release of male mosquitoes containing Wolbachia pipientis. The commenter argues that the release could have unforeseen ecological consequences, impact the food chain, cause human health issues, and set a dangerous precedent for human intervention in nature.
I oppose the permit for 92643-EUP-R from Google LLC on Regulations.gov (https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OPP-2025-3951-0001) to release Live Adult Culex quinquefasciatus Male Mosquitoes containing the pesticide chemical Wolbachia pipientis wAlbB.
I believe the impact would be targeted for one goal with unforeseen consequences for humanity and other species in Florida and California.
The release of male mosquitoes is not a controlled experiment and can cause damage to species that might consume the altered mosquitoes (e.g. frogs, birds, fish, bats). Ecologically, it can cause an impact to the food chain for species that depend on the source as a food supply. The release can trigger allergic reactions or other unknown health concerns for humans exposed to the organisms. Further, it is unknown how far the population of the altered male mosquitoes can range in travel and how much beyond Florida and California the effects will be.
Other methods to rein in the mosquito can prove useful and are safer in natural environments (e.g. wild bats/spiders/frogs, different pesticides, preventative human activity, etc.).
We could possibly be setting a precedent for future approvals on intervention by humanity in nature.
What if there is a failure in the intended purpose of the altered male mosquitoes?
Please reconsider and decline this experimental permit.
Thank you for considering my words.