Oxitec, the British biotech company that has been working on developing genetically engineered male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes as a form of pest control is getting closer to testing its bug in the United States. Today, the FDA issued its finding of no significant impact (FONSI), in response to the company's plans to test the genetically engineered mosquito (which goes by the very catchy name of OX513A) in Key Haven, Florida. Key Haven lies off the coast of the southern tip of the state's mainland.

The trial Oxitec is proposing would release the OX513A mosquitoes out into the wild as a form of "non-chemical insecticide." Their special genetic makeup ensures that when the male mates with a wild female, the offspring will not survive to a mating age. The idea is to reduce the population and stop the spread of deadly diseases like dengue fever or chikungunya. After the male has done its duty, it will finish out its average two-day life cycle.