Of course we all know how well this will work.
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 ...
Think of it, at this stage, as a party line.
With all the annoyances of same
Of course we all know how well this will work.
I used to ask the folks at a nearby Micky D's why they had posted a sign at chest height regarding dogs not being allowed in the store unless they were seeing-eye dogs!
Obviously, such a notice would have had to be posted at the height where a seeing-eye dog could see it, in order to be effective.
A few months later, I saw that at least one enterprise had recognized the logic of my point, and had posted their regulation at the bottom of the entry door.
It was the local bank.
My lower back agrees with your sister.
Basket of kitteh, anyone?
Sqeee!
Good morning.
Some of the things I considered donating were three large baskets. All are wicker, and all were gotten (freecycle) with specific purposes: 1. laundry basket, 2. yarn basket, 3. magazine basket. But then, I said ‘no.’
I slept in. *yawn* My iherb order didn’t come until almost 1800. Then there was a call, and some text messages and I didn’t bother to answer any of them. But it was enough to keep me wired until almost 2000. Unngh.
Yes. Your sister is absolutely correct!
Why yes, Darkesheare, I DO think we should move! Lock, stock and barrels of rum!
Can we? Huh? Huh? Please?
Good morning. Tom came home last night, but then he went out again to hang out with his friend who is the night desk guy at a hotel. I will suggest he ask his friend for a recommendation in aid of picking up a second job ;-).
Drama Queen went out after I’d gone to bed and got herself locked out. She was told weeks ago to use some of her copious free time and a few dollars to go by the hardware store and get an extra house key made.
DP and I need to have an Executive Committee meeting of ourselves to decide what policies we will pursue in aid of moving those two out this year. At the moment, he’s sabotaging anything I try to do.
Two kittehs are aware of impending doom, 2 kittehs are happily resting.
Good morning. Frappy Eyeday Heave!
Good morning. I’m feeling okay today, except for some minor pain related to spending six hours driving yesterday. Frank and Kathleen have been taken to their day program, and I refilled the van with $1.88/gal gas. I will go to the library in a little while.
But first, I’ll write a few checks and take something for the joint pain.
I have no idea what I have planned for today. Maybe finish what I started yesterday? That might be a good plan.
I talked to Charlie yesterday, and as much as he hates his Jitterbug phone and the exhorbitant charges for service, and the difficulty he has in getting a battery, he’s going to get another Jitterbug phone, even though I told him Walmart has Tracfones for the cost of the phone ($20) and however many minutes he want to put on, rather than a monthly fee. Men. Now’s the time I wish I were still there to help him. Poor ol’ guy.
I still can’t decide about the DMV. I can make an appointment for a DL but I don’t know about the rest of it. Maybe I’ll just go tomorrow and do the whole thing. It would seem I’m putting it off because of the cold. I need to get it done. Period. Tomorrow. Period.
Yes, driving is a pain in more ways than one.
As for the $1.88/gal gas, if you think that’s a good price, then it’s Obama’s fault. If you think that’s too high then it’s Trump’s fault.
Just to make sure everyone’s on the same page.
I hate those awful, racist, low gas prices!
Absolutely! Just like those awful, racist low unemployment numbers for blacks and hispanics. I don’t know how anybody can still support Trump when his Presidency has hurt so many people.
Your drive and determination are somewhat obviated by the use of the word "tomorrow".
Good luck on having your plan of battle survive encountering the opposition.
Tomorrow.
It was nice at the library. We’ll go back tomorrow. Now I have to go to Walmart and the hardware store, and then it will be time for Nap With Jake.
Thank you for the day’s snuggle basket!
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