Friday, August 23, 2013

Silkworms



I was browsing the internet, not even searching animal things like I usually do, when I came across this video of the "Silk Pavilion":





To read about it, click here.

When I first watched this video, I didn't quite get the magnitude of it.  I thought the students just made a dome, released a bunch of silk worms, and Bam!  Silk-covered-dome.  In actuality, everything about this dome is complete purposeful, planned, and mapped out through analyzing how silkworms build and mimicking these geometric patterns on a massive scale.  The end product is an alien-looking pavilion with translucent undulating
MIT's silk pavilion 
patterns and holes, trimmed by a delicately spiked profile.  It's a beautiful mix of science, nature, math and art and ohhhh my goodness I love it.

(For a more complete understanding and  appreciation, goggle "Silk Pavilion" and read one of the many articles explaining the process.)



All of this got me thinking about the bizarre, bizarre world of silkworms.

So, here's the first crazy bit of information that I found out:  Silkworms are domesticated, and have been for around 5,000 years.   Their ability to fly is gone, making them completely vulnerable in the wild. There might still be some varieties of wild un-domesticated Silkworm, but most of those have gone extinct.

They are also one of the most genetically modified animals.  Of course, through the domestication came an increase in cocoon size and silk strength, but in a more creepy sci-fi way, look below:


<----Fluorescent Silk.

 Come and get it ladies!  Everyone is dying for a fluffy glow-in-the-dark wedding dress for the big day!  Yes, this could be a big economic benefit and yes, silk makes fabric and fabric makes clothes and people like wearing florescent clothes (I guess).   If the Holy Grail of the fashion industry is the "wow" factor, and that certainly was a word that crossed my mind when seeing this photo, then fashion industry, meet science.  But, what kind of injection did this?!  Maybe just a good dose of the 80's.


The next crazy genetic modification of the Silkworm is the adjustment to have it make human collagen (I chose not to search this on google image).   There's a lot of scientific terminology going on in this article about it, but basically it has to do with proteins.   I tried to grasp it all but I couldn't stop thinking about an unnaturally big-lipped lady bragging at a dinner party about her latest cosmetic treatments ("It's silk").

Along with the trend of Silkworm modifications fit for a reality TV show, there's also a funny caterpillar v. spider competition going on to see who can create the strongest silk.  Right now, spiders are winning.  However, at the rate that genetic modification is going, I have no doubt that our talented little caterpillar friends will be busting out with some kevlar army ropes pretty soon.

I can't believe my premonition!  Headline:  Hybrid Silkworm Can Spin Spider Silk.  And yes, mass production of army kevlar-strength materials is mentioned.



The last (not-so-fun) fact is that silk isn't vegan.

Once Silkworms are resting their tired, fat bodies inside genetically enlarged cocoons, waiting patiently to transform into a genetically weirdo Silkmoth, they release an enzyme that breaks through the silk allowing for freedom--wing-stretching, silk-ending, freedom!  But not anymore (I should write for PETA).

Since this enzyme destroys the silk, Silkworms rarely get to see their adulthood.  Instead the cocoons are boiled, killing the caterpillar inside and preventing the harmful enzyme from being released.

Don't worry vegans, Peace Silk is there to give you your vegan-friendly fabric with no animals harmed in the process.

But here is a major bright side to the story--all of the Silkworm larvae that get boiled in the process to make us what we want, becomes a food source for millions of people. "Beondegi", or Silkworm Pupae, is a popular snack that comes boiled or steamed, has zero carbs and is full of protein.  Plus, farming insects is incredibly eco-friendly using minimal water, space, and transportation energy.






The ancient concept of using animals whole and considering this abundance of meat, material, and companionship as sacred has certainly dwindled over the past hundreds or thousands of years.   However, with the known decrease in natural resources and increase in population, going back to cherished thriftiness is definitely a compelling thought.  From birth to death, Silkworms bodies and abilities assist us, feed us, clothe us, create for us, and invent with us--without taking anything in return.  Could our modern day sacred animal be the Silkworm?  I think so.



Page from my notebook about Silkworms







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