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 ...
Ahhh—prayers answered—mirabile dictu!
Fotunately, we weren’t flooded. The folks in the next county closer to the river were hugely mudded.
The morning Floof looks all sunshiney and orangey this morning.
Good morning. I have no idea how long it will take me to recuperate from this little escapade to the Valley of the Sun, but I suspect it will be more than a week.
I have to put off taking my last dose of pills because no one goes to bed “early” here. They’re all making hay while the sun shines.
I’m relieved to know you got to sleep in your own bed with Jake last night. I found out #1 Niece is a Cat Lady, but she didn’t explain why she didn’t have one, currently.
She read the little talk I was going to give and thought it was really cute. Of course, “everyone” who has read it or heard it wants me to tell who the nasty cads were who were so rude to me at my brother’s services. What a sad legacy for them to leave.
Of course, now I’m faced with trying to decide whether to actually name them in my FB post...
I need to have a shower, but I’m very tired. I had to just sit until I could wake up a little more. I’m sleeping on the floor here, and I like it. I don’t want my night sweats to ruin anyone’s mattress pad. I have to wash mine about four times a year, so I know what the sweats can do.
I brought a pair of short pants and a short-sleeved shirt, but I don’t think its going to be warm enough for them and there is no room for another set of clothes in my bag.
Other things that haven’t been happening are my breathing treatments. I need to get home, but as of yesterday, my ride was in Tucson. The only thing really comforting about this place is the bird calls at any given time. I hope the Muppet Birds are OK.
Good morning. I vote against naming names. DP’s siblings have had all kinds of ructions because people decided to let it all hang out on Facebook. I don’t think it helps build God’s Kingdom. I suggest you share the cheerful story about your brothers and then leave it be.
Jake has been trying really hard to catch a squirrel this morning. I’m not sure what he would do if he succeeded!
I hope you make it through today and tomorrow!
Thanks for the input.
I’ve thought from the moment this thing started that naming names was not a good idea. So much so that even when asked, I refused to. So the chances were slim to none that I would ever tell. The FB forum is a family one so no outsiders would see it.
I’m not the kind of person to go down meekly, especially since I was representing Late Brother’s Siblings. It actually reflected on the children themselves and made it seem as if Late Brother raised a crop of nasty, vindictive jealous children.
Living Brother called yesterday and was dismayed to learn of the shenanigans of his nieces and nephews. I still have ample time to think about it and I will. It ain’t over ‘til its over.
Sooooo precious—thank you!
You’re welcome.
Maybe he did, but there's nothing he can do about it now. They're not going to become better people because of anything on Facebook.
In other news, we're having a lot of rain. I'm thinking about taking a nap with a cat.
I had a nap with a cat. Now I’m thinking about a cup of tea. Elen, USMC, texted some photos from San Francisco, where she and another young lady from 29 Palms are visiting the young lady’s family. The pictures are a tree (pretty), some banana slugs (huge and disgusting), and a slime mold (fungus!).
Nerd bookshelf.
Heavenly goodness, T-c. Love to Elen and her brethren.
Hmmmm
A shelf of Books I see.
Most impressive. Yours?
Not my books...
Just thought the yoda figure with the apparently falling books was clever...
How did Ellen manage to get a photo of Obama? ..;-)
I like slime mold. It comes in a variety of bright colors.
It is clever.
Wow. The force is definitely with him.
Does it kill you?
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