Scientists have recently revealed that trained insects could replace service dogs in detecting drugs, explosives, and human remains. These insects do not sting humans and can be trained to recognize scents in just 5 minutes, compared to the six months required to train dogs at a cost of $15,000.
Agricultural engineer Glen Rains from the University of Georgia, USA, conducted an experiment using these insects. He allowed the hungry insects to smell a scent and then fed them sugar water for 10 seconds, followed by a one-minute break. As a result, within just three repetitions, these insects were able to recognize the scent.
The “service insects” are equipped with a device that allows scientists to monitor them via a computer screen, enabling them to know if the insects detect specific scents, such as toxins from corn and peanuts or explosive chemicals. When they identify a characteristic scent, they will fly around the object and display a cluster of black dots on the computer screen. These insects can work continuously for 48 hours and live for 2 to 3 weeks.
Rains believes these insects could assist in locating explosives at airports, finding corpses, detecting toxins, and identifying diseases such as cancer through human breath odors, all without the high costs associated with dog training. Rains is confident that “service insects” will be available on the market within the next three to five years.
Another study by Professor Jerry Bromenshenk from Montana State University utilized bees to investigate coal mines and explosive chemicals. He stated that bees are more suitable for outdoor searches, while “service insects” are better used indoors as they do not sting humans.
BINH NGUYEN
