| Americans are trying to teach insects to eat chemicals Insects will become the main US weapon in the fight against biological terrorism. Scientists in Richmond, Virginia, are currently trying to train bees, beetles and crickets to respond to various chemicals and biological agents. As the leading development specialist, biologist Karen Kester, said, the idea of the experiment is for bees to collect harmful substances from flowers instead of pollen. With the collected samples, the insects will have to return to the military, who can test the chemical pollen. By knowing the composition of chemicals collected from plants, it will be possible to understand what substance terrorists use. According to Ms. Kerser, the main advantages of this method are that the bees can work around the clock and do not need expensive chemical protective suits.
However, this is not the only idea of American scientists. In addition to fauna, biologists also want to make flora work for the security of the American state. Thus, biologist June Medford proposed growing a special anti-terrorist herb. The main task is to genetically modify a plant so that it changes color to indicate the presence of harmful chemicals in the air or soil. The Pentagon, by the way, has already appreciated this idea. In the most literal sense - as much as half a million dollars. This is the size of the grant that Ms. Medford and her colleagues from Colorado State University received to develop anti-chemical lawns.
In the fight against terrorism, the United States is certainly ahead of the rest. True, America also occupies a leading position in the ranking of the most absurd security measures compiled by human rights activists. After the tragic events of September 11, America was ready to spend money on any development and transferred all anti-terrorist measures to government funding. And American private firms, which not so long ago were developing improved bombs, stealth aircraft and night vision devices at the request of the Pentagon, skillfully took advantage of this. And the above studies are not all examples of the latest anti-terrorist developments.
In addition to teaching bees chemistry, the Pentagon is already commissioning research that is currently worthy of mention only in films about the distant future. For example, research company Nanosphere is working on creating a portable device for DNA analysis. According to scientists, the test will be able to be used by people without medical education. Experts from Nanosphere believe that this device can be most useful in the fight against so-called “envelope terrorism.” Postmen will not have to send every envelope with white powder for examination, and the contents can be analyzed only by touching the sealed package with the device. The developers also claim that with the help of such an indicator it will be possible to quickly determine whether a person is sick and make a diagnosis by determining the DNA of the virus. It will be possible to check the water for the presence of pathogens of all dangerous infections. Another company, SRI International, develops universal portable translators. It is expected that all police and customs officers at airports, as well as American soldiers abroad, will be equipped with such electronic polyglots to make it easier for them to come into contact with foreigners. However, so far only an industrial prototype has been created. Therefore, it is too early to talk about the imminent introduction of this, like any other, miracle technology. Anna ShPAK |
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