News

US Military Developing Genetically Modified Spy Plants

The US military is branching out and developing genetically modified spy plants which will detect landmines and IEDs.

The Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the US military’s arm responsible for developing new military technologies, wants scientists to submit their ideas on how to enlist mother nature into the military.

DARPA hopes to genetically modify plants which can detect relevant pathogens, chemicals, radiation and even electromagnetic and nuclear signals.

The idea behind 'Advanced Plant Technologies' stems from the need for information in complex and evolving national security landscape.

DARPA's roots go back to 1958, when the agency was set up in reaction to the Soviet Satellite programme, it's goal was to "modify multiple and complex [genetic] traits". However now, their more focused on the greens, rather than the reds.

Only last year, a team of scientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology showed that spinach coated with nanoparticles could detect certain chemical compounds found in explosives.

It's not just spinach that's being enlisted to snoop, tobacco and tomatoes are also among the plants which have been modified and tested out as sensors.

Combined with the discreet nature of plants and their ability to literally soak up their surroundings, they have become a viable green option for the future of surveillance.

It's thought these modified plants could be grown in conflict zones where the potential use of IEDs is high. The plants could alert the US and allies to the use of nerve agents, or radioactive bombs.

The smart spy plants would be monitored from space and will hopefully save the lives of thousands of soldiers.

Currently the hardware available can monitor such changes as the plant’s temperature, chemical composition, reluctance and body plan.

DARPA says that if the program is successful, it will deliver a new sensing platform that is energy independent, robust, stealthy and easily distributed.

It’s no easy feat though, DARPA plan to change complex traits in plants, basically rewriting nature. Previous attemtps have left the plants limp and unable to take to their new surroundings.

However this time round, DARPA say they are growing a better crop which can fight off natural foes such as microbes, insects and other plants.

Dr Blake Bextine is leading the ATP project:

“Plants are highly attuned to their environments and naturally manifest physiological responses to basic stimuli such as light and temperature, but also in some cases to touch, chemicals, pests, and pathogens.

"To decode the plant’s message existing space, ground and air-based technology will remotely monitor the plants reactions, passing on the data to those who may find it useful."