An Insect Army May Protect Fields In The Future But Scientists Are Scared
The American armed forces are investigating the possibilities of using insects to fight agricultural disasters. But some scientists say that this program could be used as a biological weapon.
Expersts from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency – better known as DARPA – are researching how to save crops during droughts, mold disaster or during a biological attack. Our saviors should be insects spreading genetically modified viruses that could protect the crop.
While the research is still in its earliest stages the experts already managed to achieve their first success. They used an aphid to infect a corn plant with a virus that changed to corn so it would fluorescence. And it did start to shine. The experts think they could use this approach to – for example – enhance the growth speed. For the moment they think aphids and whiteflies might be the ideal carriers.
But some scientists don’t really like the idea of having an insect army. They recently published an article in the journal Science warning that these “Insect Wars” are opening the Pandora’s Box as if such a technology got into the wrong hands it could easily become a powerful biological weapon.
While DARPA says that the program will be used only for peaceful purposes and claims that there are several safety protocols that will prevent any unwanted ecological repercussions they also acknowledge that a risk exist. As any advanced technology can be used for good and for evil. But they say they will use it only for good – securing food.
Sources:
- http://science.sciencemag.org/content/362/6410/35
- https://www.darpa.mil/program/insect-allies
- https://www.livescience.com/63765-darpa-insect-allies-or-biological-weapon.html
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