ORLANDO, Fla. – Tech giant Google is seeking government approval to release 32 million mosquitoes into Florida, according to CBS News.
The outlet reported this week that Google is pushing to do so as part of a “debug program.”
More specifically, the program is aimed at releasing sterile mosquitoes — dubbed “good bugs” — to bring down populations of mosquitoes that actually spread diseases like Zika, yellow fever and dengue.
Per officials with the program, this method can prevent the spread of such diseases without relying on unsustainable pesticides or trying to clear all of the standing water in an area, which is simply unfeasible.
“Our good bugs are male mosquitoes that have a naturally-occurring bacteria called Wolbachia, which makes them unable to have offspring with wild female mosquitoes," the program’s website reads. “Male mosquitoes can’t bite or spread disease, so good bugs will stop bad ones from reproducing.”
A Federal Register last month shows that if approved for a permit, Google plans to release the 32 million mosquitoes into Florida over the course of two years.
The EPA is seeking comment until June 5 before making the decision on whether to issue the permit.