Insects carrying viruses, a project that worries scientists

The proponents of the project ensure that their research has a peaceful purpose and aims instead to ensure national food security.

But Darpa’s research program to inoculate plant resistance genes via insects could be a very powerful future biological weapon according to researchers.

Founded in 2017, Insect Allies is working on the use of genetically engineered insects that can infect a plant to alter its genes. Unlike GMOs, it would be possible to change the characteristics of a plant during the season to make it resistant to a transient drought or disease.

But this process could be diverted for offensive purposes to destroy crops which could lead to a large scale food shortage. Researchers go even further by claiming that the program contravenes the Biological Weapons Convention, which prohibits the development of biological weapons.

Find out more on Science.