Page 54 - Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature

Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature

2) How does the plant know that it will be freed from the pest's rav-
ages when it gives off the alarm signal?
3) How does it know that the signal it gives off will attract preda-
tors?
4) What causes the plant to send its signal to insects that feed on its
assailants?
5) That signal the plant gives off is chemical, rather than auditory.
The chemicals employed by insects have a most complex structure. The
slightest deficiency or error in the formula, and the signal may lose its ef-
ficacy. How is the plant thus able to fine-tune this chemical signal?
No doubt it is impossible for a plant, lacking a brain, to arrive at a so-
lution to danger, to analyze chemicals like a scientist, even to produce
such a compound and carry out a planned strategy. Very definitely, indi-
rectly overcoming an enemy is the work of a superior intelligence. That
intelligence’s possessor is God, Creator of the plants with all their flaw-
less characteristics and Who inspires them to do what they can to protect
themselves.
Therefore, current biomimetic research is mak-
Geocoris
ing a great effort to imitate the astonishing intelli-
gence that God displays in all living things.
One group of researchers, from both the
International Centre of Insect Physiology and
Ecology in Nairobi, Kenya and Britain's Institute of
Arable Crops Research, carried out a study on this
subject. To remove
Manduca moth caterpillar
pests among maize
and sorghum, their
team planted species
that the stem-borers
like to eat, pulling the

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