Google has applied for approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to release **32 million sterile male mosquitoes** in California and Florida to control mosquito populations that can spread diseases such as dengue, Zika, and West Nile virus.
The **“Debug” project** uses the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) combined with *Wolbachia* bacteria to prevent eggs from developing into larvae. **AI and Computer Vision** are also used to accurately separate and control the release of male mosquitoes. Trials in Singapore and Australia have reportedly reduced mosquito populations by **80–95%**.
However, the project has raised **ecological and ethical concerns**, while the EPA is currently reviewing Google’s application to determine whether the large-scale release will be allowed in the U.S.
Cr. bangkokbiznews
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