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 ...
James.
We’re discussing (by email) whether to cancel Cub Scouts tonight. Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools are closed, religious education is cancelled, Boy Scouts aren’t meeting ...
We’ve missed you too, but mostly because other targets are easier to hit. ;)
I’ve sat in the McDonald’s in central PA to drink coffee and use the internet. It’s a common meeting spot for retirees and farmers.
I’m guessing you got snow. I don’t usually check up on weekend posts because there’s no time.
Mostly sleet here. A little snow fell this morning, but it promptly melted, except for a little on north-facing roofs. However, over to the west, they’ve had power outages and stuff.
Dammed kid resurrected the phone.
Hold down BOTH the Power button AND the Home button for a hard restart.
Stay safe uh sinful
Now you can back it up! (I would never have known.)
Thank you for beautiful morning kitteh!
Grit your teeth and issue a hug.
And no coal in the stocking for that one, this year.
You’re welcome.
We decided not to have a Cub Scouts meeting tonight. Neither the Cubmaster nor the Webelos leader has electricity at home. I just got back from the Post Office and Walmart (both were busy), and although it’s safe to drive right now, it will get very slippery when it gets dark.
Mappy Honday!
ArGee, I’m confused. Are you considered what’s known in the private sector as a firm-wide asset? I’m not familiar with government contracts; woulda thunk they’d have very specific limitations and constraints. My husband was an FWA and they sent him all over the country despite the expense and legal requirements. If this is too intrusive, please forget I asked.
Oh, wait. I reread your message. Need more coffee. Please fageddaboutit!
Good to see that you’ve arrived safe and sound!
I cleaned the stove top.
Not a problem. I’m not a FWA, although people continue to try to hire me as one.
I’m a hired gun. I’ll go work for the highest bidder as long as I don’t leave my current project in the lurch.
However, the DOE doesn’t know anything BUT lurch and has no interest in ever changing that, so I’m free.
The things you see when you watch trains.. ;-)
Aw, what could be cuter than trains in the snow? Well, kittens ...
Bells on bobcats ring?
I’m imagining a loud bang, wizard like smoke, and a missing countertop.
But that would be my experience.
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