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Science

duncang

(3,767 posts)

8. Don't think they are wanting to breed more of them

Reply to nikibatts (Reply #4)

Tue Apr 25, 2017, 07:36 AM

Apr 2017

But they want to use the microbes in the caterpillars gut to biodegrade plastic.

If they tried breeding them a excess of larva could wipe out bee hives by eating the honey combs.

The thing that gets me is they want to patent it and haven't even isolated the bacteria yet. Also the question of patenting a naturally living organism to me shouldn't happen.

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Highlight:

Plastic-eating caterpillar could munch waste, scientists say [View all] nitpicker Apr 2017 OP

now, if only they could find one that feeds on bullshit. Warren DeMontague Apr 2017 #1

+1000! Rhiannon12866 Apr 2017 #2

ROFL! mdbl Apr 2017 #5

Wouldn't they already be absolutely everywhere? mr_lebowski Apr 2017 #3

I was wondering this too mdbl Apr 2017 #6

Good question PatSeg Apr 2017 #7

There are a lot of cases SCantiGOP Apr 2017 #9

Hopefully that is case PatSeg Apr 2017 #10

What happens to the caterpillars? What eats them? nikibatts Apr 2017 #4

Don't think they are wanting to breed more of them duncang Apr 2017 #8

That's depressing PatSeg Apr 2017 #11

I have visions of a new lady bird beetle infestation. Never get rid of them ever. LakeArenal Apr 2017 #12

Weird, I was thinking this morning that we need a critter that eats plastic. BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2017 #13

I can see the wheels BHDem53 Apr 2017 #14