The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hit back at viral internet rumors today, flatly denying that any new releases of genetically engineered mosquitoes have been authorized in the United States.
According to an official agency statement released on May 27, 2026, the claims currently making the rounds online are completely false. EPA officials stated that they wanted to “set the record straight” regarding the biological countermeasures.
The agency laid out the exact facts of the situation to clear up the confusion. A previous Experimental Use Permit, which had allowed for controlled testing of the modified insects, officially expired back in 2024. Because that permit ended, there are currently absolutely no authorized releases of genetically engineered mosquitoes anywhere in the country.
Furthermore, the EPA confirmed it has zero evidence or awareness of any releases taking place on U.S. soil since the 2024 expiration date.
The regulatory agency also issued a strict warning for anyone attempting to bypass these rules. The EPA noted that any unauthorized release of these mosquitoes would be a direct violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. If any unapproved releases are discovered, the agency warned that the actions “would be subject to enforcement action” under federal law.
READ: Sen. Rick Scott To Floridians Ahead Of 2026 Storms: ‘Get Ready Today—Not Tomorrow’
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