The administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Lee Zeldin, publicly denied reports circulating on social media and
some digital media outlets about an alleged authorization by the Donald Trump
administration to release genetically modified mosquitoes anywhere in the
country.
In recent statements, Zeldin called the information “fake
news” and asserted that the claims disseminated do not reflect official
decisions made by the EPA. The official maintained that there is misinformation
surrounding scientific projects related to the biological control of insects
and asked the public to verify the facts before sharing alarmist content.
The controversy arose after posts began going viral claiming
that the U.S. administration had approved the mass release of genetically
altered mosquitoes as part of health and environmental programs. According to
these reports, the insects would be used to combat mosquito-borne diseases such
as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya.
However, Lee Zeldin clarified that any project involving
genetically modified organisms requires strict regulatory processes, scientific
evaluations, and limited authorizations under federal oversight. He also
emphasized that there is no blanket approval to release these types of mosquitoes
indiscriminately across the United States.