Brazil has recently approved the use of genetically mutated mosquitoes to counter its country's high dengue fever count of at least 1.4 million cases ever year. Given that there's no vaccine for the disease at the moment, the researchers hope to eradicate the spread of the disease by releasing the mutated male mosquitoes (which don't bite humans) into the wild and mate with the female mosquitoes (the ones that bite and carry the disease).

The genetically modified mosquitoes offer a solution to the growing number of dengue fever cases in Brazil, and possibly around the world. The Oxford-based Oxitec is an innovative science research firm dedicated to controlling and providing solutions against insects and pests that harm people and crops. Oxitec developed the genetically modified mosquitoes to seek and mate with the female species in the wild.

The male mosquitoes pass on its "killer" genes to the offspring, which kill them before they reach adulthood. The offspring also gain a visible marker that can be seen using a special light. This will make the researchers monitor the programme's success.

Oxitec has already released the GM mosquito experiments in the Cayman Islands in 2009 and 2010, and another experiment made in Malaysia in 2010 and 2011. The two countries have stopped the releases, but Brazil has began larger-scale experiments in February 2011. Based on the past trials of the programme, the Oxitec males were able to significantly reduce the wild population of dengue mosquitoes. The current GM mosquito programme has already been approved by the Ministry of Health in Brazil.

The programme concerned some critics and the public. Oxitec did not release any public information about any possible negative effects the GM mosquitoes may bring. Director of GeneWatch UK, Dr Helen Wallace said, "Local people should be aware that releasing large numbers of GM mosquitoes can pose risks to their health and the environment," according to the Daily Mail.

Wallace also questioned if Oxitec will be responsible for the damages should the programme fail or cause a problem to the public. Oxitec has yet to give an official statement about the public's concern.