ARTICLE Alternative Proteins Magazine April 2024 67 THE IMPORTANCE OF INSECT GENETICS The global climate crisis and the growing human population present an existential threat never encountered before. Harnessing nature’s solutions like the BSF’s unique traits to mimic nature and create a circular bioeconomy with proper waste management systems is essential in addressing these challenges. Insect farming and BSF as the leading species in it, is evolving a new industry that should be named InsecTech. InsecTech refers to the utilization of insects in the industrial production for food and feed, novel applications (like biofuel), and waste valorisation. All of which are resulting in novel biomanufacturing processes and more resilient feed and food supply chains, and sustainable biomass to biofuel. The BSF industry is currently focused on improving technologies for waste handling, cheaper and more efficient rearing processes, optimization of diets, product extraction methods and more. Implementing genetic programs in BSF facilities, including selective breeding and genetic engineering, offer a repertoire of solutions to optimise the bioreactor itself – the BSF. The importance of managing genetic diversity for the long-term viability and productivity of BSF colonies is becoming more and more prevalent in the scientific community. By applying tried and tested breeding techniques, utilising high-throughput technologies and leveraging Black Soldier Fly biology, Beta Bugs is achieving improved genetic performance and bringing it to market with their genetics-based development of the HIPER-FLY® selective breeding programme, taking into account key principles which play a major role in expanding the value proposition of InsecTech and the BSF market. Innovative opportunities armed with high-throughput sequencing technologies and powerful tools for genome editing are primed to yield promising results that will give substantial contributions to fighting climate crisis and food shortage, and position the BSF-based InsecTech at the forefront of bioeconomy and biomanufacturing. “Harnessing nature’s solutions like the BSF unique traits to mimic nature and create a circular bioeconomy with proper waste management systems is essential.” About Nicola Gardner Nicola Gardner is the Creative Marketing and Media Manager at Beta Bugs Ltd, with responsibility for all marketing programs, brand/design management, and media management. She is also the editor of Beta Bugs own insect farming publication - Beta Buzz.
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