Cockroaches Daubed With Yeast As WMD Sensors?

Our Man In Redmond writes "OK, yeah, it sounds weird, but it just might work. Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have come up with the idea of attaching genetically-modified yeast to the back of a cockroach - or a cockroach-sized robot - and using the yeast to detect chemical or biological agents. The story's in today's Seattle Post-Intelligencer. They point out some other possible nifty uses for the yeast-based technology, like detecting diseases by having a patient blow on a piece of paper 'printed' with the yeast."

Re:blow...

[Anonymous Coward]

That's not funny. I am one of the rare few men who have had the dubious honor of getting a yeast infection. Fortunately, I found out that I just needed to make some changes in my diet to counteract the negative effects of antibiotics I'd takedn over the years. Antibiotics can do a lot of damage to the body's natural defenses (secndary immune system) unless you are knowledgable enough to supplement your diet with probiotics as far apart from the antibiotics as possible. All I can say is that male yeast infection is probably akin to scorching your foreskin (or in my case the corona since I'm circumcised) with a curling iron. All the way around... first it starts as an incessant itch and within hours it blows up into a fullblown set of ulcerated skin. Almost made me think I had herpes except there weren't any blisters. So.. don't take yeast lightly. It's a nasty and very dangerous substance.

O-kaaay...

[geekwench]

Personally, I'm hoping for the mini-bots to be used in this technique, rather than actual cockroaches. When you look at the type of environment that the little buggers prefer, the Feds would be "finding" chemical and biological agents in every alley dumpster in the country. Not to mention the apartments of a large percentage of bachelor males. At least the robots will presumably go where you want them to.

Young bachelor to FBI agent: "That's not a biological weapons lab, man; that's my kitchen!