It can absolutely be claimed with an increasing degree of certainty, as it's being actively studied (e.g. this study).

Note the wording ”being”. We can actually conclude results in 10 years when we might generally agree some information. It takes time.

It's analogous. Mao decided to eliminate a problematic species. So he started eliminating it. Nationwide. Turned out, there were consequences to eliminating that species. Consequences that would have been obvious had he consulted with scientists. Or done a limited roll-out first. Things we're doing when weighing zapping these mosquitoes.

I do. I think the comment is a generic "but unforeseen consequences" response. The target mosquito could have some unique ecological role the other 799 can't fill that only becomes apparent ex post facto.

That's why we're conducting limited tests. To look for those. Something Mao didn't do.