
Scientists Create Superflies, Engineered To Devour Human Poop And Clean Up Our Streets
NDTV
These "superflies" can consume a wide range of organic waste, potentially transforming it into valuable resources like oils for lubricants, biofuels.
A team from Australia's Macquarie University has begun engineering flies to take on the world's waste crisis. The modified insects are based on the common black soldier fly and have the ability to eat a range of organic waste-from food scraps to industrial byproducts.
In a new paper published in the journal Communications Biology, the scientists have mentioned that beyond becoming a means for waste disposal, these flies can also be used in the production of some valuable substances, such as oils for lubricants and biofuels and high-quality animal feed. Besides that, decreasing the content of organic waste in landfills should also significantly reduce methane emissions, a dangerous greenhouse gas causing climate change.
This research holds immense potential to change the concept of waste management and move towards a far more sustainable future.