Genetic Engineering And "super Insects"?

[SaxonViolence]

Read any good Book or watch any good Documentary about Insects.

 

They lack many of the Structures that Vertebrates--Particularly Birds and Mammals find essential.

 

Let us imagine for a moment that we have mastered Genetic Engineering to the point that we can build just about anything we can imagine--so long as it is Physically and Physiologically Possible.

 

Let us further suppose that we want to create some "Super Insects".

 

{Why? Just because we can?}

 

Would an Insect Prosper from a Four Chambered Heart? A set of Lungs? (Perhaps still breathing through multiple Spiracles--and not deleting any of the two-valved "Helping" pumps that some have...)

 

How about a few Internal Bones at Strategic places?

 

It could give reinforcement and provide surface area for additional Muscle Attachments.

 

Finally, what if we equipped our Super Insects with Chlorophyl?

 

Sure it wouldn't create enough Glucose to keep the Insect alive, but If Insects that spend much time Outdoors in Bright Sunlight could supply even five or ten percent of their Daily Caloric Needs just by being in the Sun, it would lower their Daily Food Requirement.

 

Finally, for those who believe in Evolution...

 

You've just removed most of the things that force Insects to remain relatively small (Like those Giant Beetles and Dragonflies could only exist when the oxygen content of the atmosphere was much higher...)

 

What kinds of Creatures do you think might Evolve from our Super Insects, given time?

 

Saxon Violence

Edited August 19, 2012 by SaxonViolence

[Lancewen]

Read any good Book or watch any good Documentary about Insects.

 

They lack many of the Structures that Vertebrates--Particularly Birds and Mammals find essential.

 

Let us imagine for a moment that we have mastered Genetic Engineering to the point that we can build just about anything we can imagine--so long as it is Physically and Physiologically Possible.

 

Let us further suppose that we want to create some "Super Insects".

 

{Why? Just because we can?}

 

Would an Insect Prosper from a Four Chambered Heart? A set of Lungs? (Perhaps still breathing through multiple Spiracles--and not deleting any of the two-valved "Helping" pumps that some have...)

 

How about a few Internal Bones at Strategic places?

 

It could give reinforcement and provide surface area for additional Muscle Attachments.

 

Finally, what if we equipped our Super Insects with Chlorophyll?

 

Sure it wouldn't create enough Glucose to keep the Insect alive, but If Insects that spend much time Outdoors in Bright Sunlight could supply even five or ten percent of their Daily Caloric Needs just by being in the Sun, it would lower their Daily Food Requirement.

 

Finally, for those who believe in Evolution...

 

You've just removed most of the things that force Insects to remain relatively small (Like those Giant Beetles and Dragonflies could only exist when the oxygen content of the atmosphere was much higher...)

 

What kinds of Creatures do you think might Evolve from our Super Insects, given time?

 

Saxon Violence

 

When I think of super bugs "Alien the movie" comes to mind. I assume you are also talking about arachnids who have similar structures to insects? I would hope you don't want these little beasties you are talking about evolving on Earth with the rest of us do you? If you want to give them their own planet I won't object.

[Moontanman]

I'm not sure just how big creatures with exoskeletons could actually get but improved breathing and circulatory systems would allow them some leeway for sure. It would interesting to see how smart they could be...

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_crab

 

 

Edited August 20, 2012 by Moontanman