AI Helps Grow 6 Billion Roaches at China's Largest Breeding Site (cnet.com)

With the help of AI, folks at a Chinese pharmaceutical company are breeding cockroaches by the billions every year, South China Morning Post reports. From a report: Their purpose: To make a "healing potion" that can cure respiratory, gastric and other diseases. The "potion," consumed by over 40 million people in China, is made by crushing the cockroaches once they reach a desired weight and size, according to the publication. There is a "slightly fishy smell" to the potion, which tastes "slightly sweet" and looks like tea, it added. Some insects are known to have potential health benefits. Besides China's cockroach potion, scientists are also exploring how milk-like protein crystals in roaches could be an excellent source of calories and nutrition. Chewing down on bugs like crickets and mealworms can also give us more protein, according to studies.

Comments

Is there some real science behind it?

[fazig]

The first part makes it sound like that traditional Chinese healing mysticism. Although insects are certainly a good source of protein and pretty efficient in converting plant matter into said proteins.
Anyway, I suppose it's better than killing Tigers and other endangered species for their bone(r)s because some old guys can't get a proper erection any more.

Wow thanks AI!

[Anonymous Coward]

Thank GOD for AI, how on earth could roaches breed without sophisticated algorithms?

Now if only we could fix the brains of the Chinese who seem to think crushing up bits of other animals bodies (the more endangered, the better) has some kind of pharmacological effect.