Posted on 10/06/2018 2:02:35 PM PDT by BenLurkin
Pentagon research project called "Insect Allies." Funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the project involves using gene-editing techniques like CRISPR to infect insects with modified viruses that could help make America's crops more resilient. If a cornfield were hit by an unexpected drought or suddenly exposed to a pathogen, for example, Insect Allies might deploy an army of aphids carrying a genetically modified virus to slow the corn plant's growth rate.
According to the DARPA website, these "targeted therapies" could take effect in a single growing season, potentially protecting the American crop system from food security threats like disease, flooding, frost and even "threats introduced by state or non-state actors.
… Insect Allies, is less concerned. "Anytime you're developing a new and revolutionary technology, there is that potential for [both offensive and defensive] capability," Bextine told The Washington Post. "But that is not what we are doing. We are delivering positive traits to plants… We want to make sure we ensure food security, because food security is national security in our eyes."
Insect Allies is still in the early stages of development, and at least four U.S. colleges (Boyce Thompson Institute, Penn State University, The Ohio State University and the University of Texas at Austin)have received funding to carry out research. Bextine told The Washington Post that the project recently achieved its first milestone — testing whether an aphid could infect a stalk of corn with a designer virus that caused fluorescence. According to the Washington Post, "the corn glowed."
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
Yep. That looks like some of the folks around here...
That’s a pretty idiotic thing for a gate to do — jump right into that guy’s path.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Huh. That’s weird. I posted, went to the kitchen to take my pills, came back to find the posting page still up. Two posts a week apart. Well, you know...
I wonder if that says anything about the day ahead?...
Thanks!
You cooking a big bird today? I’m only cooking Hungry Man turkey dinner, but I’m going to cobble together a mince pie to share, and make some Rhodes dinner rolls. At least my place will smell a little like Thanksgiving. ;o]
I blame the bunnehs.
We bought a full up dinner. Just as well, as mom kilt the microwave yesterday...
LOL!
Sorry to hear that, Darks.
Good morning. Happy Thanksgiving! I have to go to Walmart: nobody bought the marshmallows for the sweet potato pies.
Evil Ice Bunnehs, with razor claws.
I don’t know of anyone that cooks a turkey in a microwave, but maybe Mom knows something we don’t. ;o]
Good for you on the full up dinner. Marie Callender’s? Albertson’s?
I’d go to Walmart for “something drinkable” but I have to save my pennies for the oil change.
The rolls are thawing/rising, and the pie crusts are warming up so I can play with them a little better. Once the pie is in the oven the rolls will rise faster. It’s a little cool in here.
Beaker and Gonzo have decided to sleep through some of the morning’s preps. I’ll take the food to Charlie after I come back in from visiting. I went out about 0940 yesterday to wait for him to get back from the laundromat, but the bus didn’t get back until 1015. Cindy1 was walking Angel, and she came to sit with me for a while, but when the bus came up with Charlie and Sylvia aboard, Cindy1 suddenly heard her mother calling and had to leave.
She doesn’t like the way Sylvia “disciplines” Bella.
Anyway, tomorrow, I’ll try to get busy on packing more stuff. Maybe I can make an assessment on how many more containers I need by tomorrow afternoon. And maybe I can set a definite date to leave. The sooner, the better for those who are loading and driving.
Best wishes on all that! I’m feeling a little low this morning, so I’ve turned on a Spanish Christian pop concert.
The pie is in the oven and the baking rack is waiting for it.
Meanwhile, I set the pan of frozen rolls on the stove top to help with the raising. :o]
I checked an ad that promised they would save me money if I used their truck and their drivers. HAH! $1200+ for 135 miles! LOL!
I’m sorry you’re feeling a little low. Stress will do that.
I hope your day improves. Maybe some unexpected, welcome company will show up at your door bearing gifts appropriate to the occasion.
It could happen.
Knew you could relate
warmest regards, Cov
Happy Thanksgiving!
Yes, it could. Meanwhile, I have cleaning to do and Martin Valverde on YouTube.
Well, Tom the Son has turned up to make pumpkin pies and turned on Johnny Cash. I like Johnny Cash, too. My father liked Johnny Cash. Today is the 4th anniversary of his death. Dad’s I mean, not Johnny Cash’s.
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