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

Posted by msmash on from the how-about-that dept.

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.

7 of 105 comments (clear)

  1. I thought it was just in one restuarant by bobstreo · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Seriously, aren't cockroaches right up there in causes of asthma?

    And this is certainly a place I'd totally NOPE out of...

  2. Is there some real science behind it? by fazig · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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.

    1. Re:Is there some real science behind it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      China science so good.
      West science is steal and second place.
      China AI lead world with tracking seditious citizen.
      China feed citizen roach as directed by AI.
      Optimal feeding. Optimal breeding.
      China so good.

    2. Re:Is there some real science behind it? by jbmartin6 · · Score: 5, Informative

      There is a lot of research into various aspects of cockroaches, such as their resistance to bacterial infection, but eating them probably isn't going to confer those sorts of benefits. The "potion" mentioned is Kangfu Xinye and gets a lot of press as snake oil, although people who swear by traditional Chinese medicine will deny that. The Journal of Emergency in Traditional Chinese Medicine has a lot of studies on it, I leave it to the reader to decide if these are valid studies or not.

      --
      This posting is provided 'AS IS' without warranty of any kind, implied or otherwise.
  3. On 420 Day, really? by Virtucon · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's not that kind of roach!?!?

    --
    Harrison's Postulate - "For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism"
  4. Beetle Juice by decipher_saint · · Score: 4, Funny

    beetle juice
    beetle juice

    --
    crazy dynamite monkey
  5. No proof = proof by sjbe · · Score: 3, Funny

    and where can I download the empirical data of the double blind studies?

    That's the beauty of traditional Chinese "medicine". It only works if you don't try to check to see if it actually works.