[badminton1]

The problem I see is that, while this can be used for good, it can also be weaponized.

Zika for example, has existed for thousands of years if not millions of years. How come just in 2015 there's this massive unprecedented outbreak? Just when Oxitec starts releasing their "good mosquitoes"?

What specifically changed and caused this outbreak?

[sohkamyung]

Whatever caused the Zika outbreak in Brazil has nothing to do with Oxitec. As this post shows, Oxitec released their mosquitoes years before the Zika epidemic in Brazil and the release was done hundreds of miles away [1]

- [1] "No, GM Mosquitoes Didn’t Start The Zika Outbreak." [ http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/science-sushi/2016/01/31/g... ]

[badminton1]

Thanks, very informative.

[arpa]

Weather patterns spring to mind. Warmth+Moisture = Increased population of mosquitoes.