Militarized microbes? Pentagon’s DARPA seeks means to unfold genetically modified micro organism as ‘explosives sensors’

In an thought seemingly pulled from dystopian science fiction, the Pentagon has teamed up with Raytheon to develop a system able to delivering genetically modified micro organism underground. For purely defensive functions, after all.

Initiated by DARPA – the identical company that led applications to create telekinetic tremendous troopers and weaponized robotic bugs – the undertaking seeks to “program two bacterial strains to observe floor surfaces for explosive supplies,” protection contractor Raytheon stated in a joint press launch with the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

The primary of the 2 strains, often called a “bio-sensor,” will “detect the presence or absence of explosives buried underground,” whereas the second will produce a “glowing gentle” within the occasion such supplies are discovered. Remotely operated cameras or drones would then be despatched to survey the realm to seek out the glowing germs, and finally the buried explosives.

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“We already know that some micro organism will be programmed to be excellent at detecting explosives, nevertheless it’s tougher underground,” stated Raytheon researcher Allison Taggart.

We’re investigating the best way to transport the reporting micro organism to the required depth underground.

Whereas it’s supposedly meant to detect buried improvised explosive units in international warzones, Taggart didn’t conceal that the “modular design” of the bacteria-delivery system and swappable “elements” inside will enable for different purposes “as wanted.”

Although the Pentagon claims it solely plans to make use of the system for “defensive” functions solely, some could discover the concept of militarized microbes off-putting – conjuring apocalyptic eventualities of a runaway genetically engineered superbug.

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