A recent viral claim on social media suggests a connection between genetically modified mosquitoes released in the United States and Bill Gates, as well as an increase in malaria cases. However, a fact-check reveals that these claims are false.
The claim originated from an Instagram video where a woman speaks in front of a screenshot of an article published on a website called American Faith. The article’s headline states, Bill Gates Develops Malaria Drugs, Then Releases Genetically Modified Mosquitoes into the U.S. – Now Texas and Florida Are Detecting the Disease, Gates-Funded CDC Is Recommending Those Drugs.
The video gained significant attention, with over 18,000 likes in just four days. Similar versions of the claim have been shared on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
However, upon fact-checking, it is clear that these claims are baseless. While the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation did provide funding to a company called Oxitec for mosquito field trials in September 2020, none of those funds were used to release genetically modified mosquitoes in the U.S. Furthermore, the mosquitoes released by Oxitec in April 2021 were incapable of carrying or spreading malaria.
Oxitec, a British biotechnology company, released thousands of genetically modified mosquitoes in the Florida Keys in 2021 to combat the spread of diseases like dengue fever. The Gates Foundation did provide a grant of $1.3 million to Oxitec for mosquito field trials, but none of the company’s U.S.-based work, including mosquito releases, is funded by the foundation.
The claim also implies a link between Oxitec, Gates, and the five cases of malaria detected in Florida and Texas in May and June. However, there is no connection between Oxitec, Gates, and the recent malaria cases. Oxitec’s work in Florida focuses on the Aedes aegypti mosquito species, which carries diseases like dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika fever, and yellow fever, not malaria. The mosquitos released by Oxitec are 100% male and do not carry diseases or bite humans. Therefore, it is scientifically impossible for there to be any relationship between Oxitec’s work and the malaria cases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms that only infected Anopheles mosquitoes can spread malaria, not the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes targeted by Oxitec. Furthermore, Oxitec only released mosquitoes in the Florida Keys, which is more than 200 miles away from where the malaria cases were detected in Sarasota County, Florida.
The claim has been debunked by multiple sources, including the Associated Press and Lead Stories. The Gates Foundation has previously provided significant funding for malaria vaccine research and development.
In conclusion, the viral claim suggesting a connection between genetically modified mosquitoes released in the U.S., Bill Gates, and the increase in malaria cases is false. The Gates Foundation did contribute funding to Oxitec for mosquito field trials, but none of the company’s U.S.-based work is funded by the foundation. The genetically modified mosquitoes released by Oxitec cannot carry or spread malaria. The recent malaria cases in Florida and Texas have no connection to Oxitec or Gates. It is important to rely on accurate information and fact-check claims before sharing them on social media.
