The Pentagon Wants to Make an Army of Virus-Spreading Insects. Scientists Are Concerned.

.livescience.com ^ | October 5, 2018 12:57pm ET | Brandon Specktor

[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."

[Silentgypsy]

Wow—hope you feel better soon!

[Silentgypsy]

Concur.

[Silentgypsy]

Oh, rats. I try to avoid those things because everyone else seems to like them so much. Unpardonable lapse. Please excuse.

[Monkey Face]

Chicken soup is a marvelous healer, and as it happens, I have none in the pantry. So thank you! I can hardly wait to tuck into it!

[Monkey Face]

I’ll make it a point to say “Hai!” to the kittens each morning!

:o]

[Monkey Face]

Thanks. “Soon” and CFIDS/ME are not compatible, but I’ll pretend to be “better soon!”

[Monkey Face]

You’re always a bright spot in the “here” and I’m glad to be known.

But no Wanted posters, please. ;o]

[Covenantor]

Snow warning

[Monkey Face]

Snow is what its been doing today off and on.

But I didn’t experience it with as much dignity as this little guy has!

Thanks!

[Covenantor]

[Tax-chick]

Those animals are not looking happy with the weather. Our pets have had lots of Sunbeam today.

[Silentgypsy]

I always wanted a German Shedder. I only took in animals that no one else wanted. That seems to have ruled out German Shedders. Oh, well.

[Darksheare]

Job has been annoying lately.
Been in lurk mode mainly.

[NoCmpromiz]

You need a good deal on snow tires?

[Monkey Face]

Now THAT’s funny!

[Tax-chick]

[Monkey Face]

Unhappy. Focused on the noises behind him. Ready to leave the photo session.

[Monkey Face]

Oh look!! Morning floof! Tiny little squee!

Good morning.

My brain is full of gray lint, so that means that no one is home up there, and no lights are on. But this IS Monday II. Later.

[Tax-chick]

I hope you make it through the day okay. Look at some cat pictures!

[Monkey Face]

It just so happens that in unpacking, I found the little volume of “Cat Psalms.” I read a few pages every day, and once again, I thank you. :o])