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 ...
I hear it is Monday. Best wishes for the project!
It’s Monday, my phone is bricked.
New tagline...
I had my children convinced the smoke alarm was the dinner bell. Ratboy still salivates whenever he hears one.
Love your tagline.
Both of ‘em.
Thank you! I stole it fair and square from NicknamedBob
SURPRISE!
I’m at McDonald’s and had a burrito and I’m working on a large caramel mocha which is not nearly as good as an iced chocolate mocha.
(By the way, I’m a little tired of “’Face sez…”! But the truth is, she did, and will again!)
I feel almost sinful sitting here, trying not to listen to the old farmers and their farm talk, but it sure sounds like home to me!
While I’m here, I need to check on ISP services, but I’ll check in again before I head for home. (I sure have missed you guys!)
Sorry, I missed you in my post, so feel free to read it as if it were for you, too, because it was! ;o]
Good to here you’re home!
That’s too bad. I hope it comes back!
I’m taking a break from cleaning the refrigerator.
Me too! It’s not like I can really afford a new phone, and it’s been a while since I backed it up.
Theres an unscheduled trip to the Apple store in my near future, perhaps one of their experts can un-brick it, or at least salvage the data.
You have my sympathy. I still sadly reflect, occasionally, on the Awful Hard Drive Crash of my old PC. All my Spanish music, all my pictures, Zot.
*shrug* I backed up my ‘puter yesterday. It’s probably been months for my phone...
It’s as close to “home” as I’m going to get so we’ll just call it home. Thanks! You should come and visit! Oh. wait. That’s a very long drive.
Awww! Thanks! I have to head out soon. It’s overcast today, so I won’t be driving into the sun as I was yesterday on my way home from Walmart.
The “old farmers” in the booth behind me punctuate their stories with odd mixtures of “natural gas.” I really do have to leave, soon. while I can still breathe! LOL!
I was very unsuccessful at contacting the bank today, but I’ll keep trying, as I need to change a check from one to two. Just because rules.
I am honored, but I think you are the second person to honor me so, for a different statement.
It’s good to be the king. Take that, Jigsaw!
Morning, Bob.
Also good to know that you survived that awful storm what’s-his-name.
Good Morning, T-c!
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