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 ...
I’m always happy to find that whatever it was I thought I had done to the laptop was actually brought about by “Them.” (Not to be confused with “THEM!”)
There are days when all my computer classes and other required computer training comes at my beck and call and other days when I think: Did I do THAT??? How do I un-do that???
Hopefully, your angst is only from not being able to do those things that need to be done and not from anything you did or didn’t do. :o]
Computers. They’re such a pain.
Morning, everyone. It rained here. Catz got wet.
The Morning Floof appears to have some Siamese or Birman in her. What a pretty little floof!
Good morning. My son took his VW to Oklahoma City to a VW show this weekend and from the photos on FB it was quite an enjoyable trip. He was worried about towing it because of the road grime that would accumulate on the underside because of the recent rains, but he used some kind of petroleum product that enabled him to just rinse it off so it would be “show-ready” the next day.
DiL sent me a text last night asking for my mailing address, so I’m thinking they found a frog-something for me. :o])
This was after the wife of the New Nephew Bill said they were thinking about coming to visit, and I’m thinking I love them, but why now? Why not in June, when I have the worst/bulk of the appointments behind me?
Now I have to get busy, regardless of how I feel and get the black file cabinet filled up so I can have a real table. And I need to talk to Chuck about the containers I have, waiting for a home!
They’re coming to visit their son, but I also think they’ll be checking out the area for a place to buy, joining the mass Exodus from Californistan.
DP has gone to a half-marathon this morning. No other family members have been observed.
Good luck with all your activities.
Why do you keep posting to this garbage thread? This story is so stupid I can’t believe it keeps popping up on my feed every single day. Y’all want to talk about the weather why not try Facebook?
My goodness!
If you don’t want it popping up in your feed, then its a simple thing to request your name be taken off the ping list.
And the Undead Thread is actually in existence with the permission of JimRob, and those of us who do like it in our feeds every day, are very grateful for the privilege.
I hope your Sunday improves!
You have a nice day, too. If Jim Robinson - you know, the site’s owner - doesn’t like the Undead Thread, he is within his rights to ban us all.
Also, you have a nice day.
I have to admit, this is the first time I’ve posted here. I did not read the original article. But I think its a hoot to see it pop up from time to time. Its kind of a “thing” now.
The scroll function will allow you to skim right past it.
Have a great day.
There are threads other than this one?
If you've ever looked into Facebook you might see why this is preferable.
Once in a while. I've been posting this morning on a thread about the murder of a local police officer.
FYI: The Undead Thread has been in existence in one form or another, without stopping, since around June of 2004, when jj_fate met his and was roundly and soundly paved.
That thread took six months to reach The End Of The Internet, which was 64,000+ posts, JimRob’s permission, I might add.
And so here we are...still on the Undead Thread, still with permission, so someone likes it!! ;o]
‘Face
And for those who may have missed the beginning, a little light reading to catch up on ...
2004 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
2005 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
2006 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
2007 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
2008 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
2009 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
2010 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
2011 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
2012 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
2013 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
2014 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
2015 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
2016 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
2017 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
2018 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
But now the ranters have shown up, so I agree about, “There are threads other than this one?” *sigh*
Early on, we tried to find a method for linking the newly adopted thread to an expiring monthly. Nobody could find a workable solution.
What can I say? It wasn’t rocket surgery, so I couldn’t help.
Somehow we managed to cling to a continuing, precarious existence, shambling along in our Undead Shuffle.
And kittens. Let’s not forget the kittens.
The kittens are essential, even crucial, to our existence.
Thank you for beautimous Sunday kitteh!
I understand that Harry Truman was from Missouri.
They say he also was abrasive. But then he was a democrat so it is expected as inherit.
Maybe our commentator from Missouri will post a thread worthy of its being repurposed...
You’re welcome.
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.