Insect Allies Project

The Insect Allies Project is DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) program seeking countermeasures against threats to the U.S. crop system and food supply. This program was launched by the Department of Defense in 2016. The main goal of this project is to mitigate the threat of flooding, drought, and pathogens to U.S. crops. To accomplish this goal, DARPA is using an insect delivery system to modify the genes of plants. DARPA is using a tripartite approach consisting of viral manipulation, selective gene therapy, and insect vector optimization. DARPA's hope is that this will allow a positive alternative to negative crop control, such as pesticides and slash-and-burn techniques. The overall hope of the program is to crush future threats to U.S. national security that arise when the crop structure is damaged.

Tripartire System

In order for this idea to be successful, all three parts of the project must be successfully addressed.

Viral Manipulation

The first part of the project involves genetically engineering viruses to improve crop growth. This involves an immense amount of testing and scientific effort.

Insect Vector Optimization

The delivery system of these new engineered viruses is solely dependent on insects. Scientists control the viruses they are engineering, but they do not control the courier insects. There is a high risk that the insect delivery system will not work as intended.

Selective Gene Therapy

Another wild card in this project is the adaptation of the infected plants. There is no way to be certain the infected plants will act as they are supposed. fool