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 ...
Dat floof is going to grow up to be one excellently elegant kitteh.
Good morning. I will go to Walmart this morning, but not until later. The larder is a little on the scant side, but not yet critical. It’s tough being without wheels!
But now, I’m headed for the shower.
I hope you make it to Walmart! I’m taking the van to the mechanic this morning. It’s making a sound I don’t like. Tom will drive the car over and bring me home; he doesn’t have class until 12:00.
“It’s okay, now, Spot: it’s Friday!”
LOL!
LOL!
Yes, Walmart is calling me. I need to race through the aisles again! Walking to the mechanic and racing through Wally’s are not comparable!
Cute squee!
Hey, happy Friday! Im still here!
Happy Friday! Every day with catz is a good day.
Tom brought me back from dropping off the van, singing along with one of his humongous-ego theme songs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79DijItQXMM
That song does stick in your head!
Tom is 6’4”, built like a mountain, and has long, curly dark hair. He has acted out the whole scene with Kathleen as a prop!
We need video next time!
How cute! Yes, 6’4” can be intimidating at times. At least until you remind them that you used to change their diapers.
;o]
Also, I’m smarter than Tom.
Yes, there is that! And something I learned from my own short mother was that dynamite comes in small packages. She was referring to herself, of course. :o]
Well, I certainly was tardy all yesterday. The bell rang at about 8:00 yesterday and I barely paused until EOD. Today may be like that, too, except for a 9am bell.
Good morning. I’m here, but I may not be for long.
Actually, it's quite a nice way of life in a city with good sidewalks where everything is nearby.
But I’m not in the city any more. The town is 14,000 and there is no real “business district.” Walmart is 4.5 miles away in the high desert at 55 mph, and the DMV is four miles farther at the same rate of speed.
There are sidewalks, but only three traffic lights, and yet, nothing is “nearby.” The nearest grocery store (think Trader Joe’s) is a mile away across from the USPS. I love it here because the scenery is absolutely beautiful, but after 35 years in the city, it’s more of a culture shock.
But I’ll adjust. This is “home.”
Somehow I just know you're not talking about San Francisco.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.