The Facts

• Genetically engineered black soldier flies (BSF), which Australian scientists hope to produce by the end of 2024, might be the answer to the world's organic waste problem.A team of scientists from Sydney's Macquarie University is genetically modifying black soldier flies (BSF) to increase their consumption of humanity's organic waste.

• In a paper published Wednesday, scientists of Sydney’s Macquarie University said BSF could curb the emission of methane from organic waste's break down.In a paper published Wednesday in Communications Biology, scientists said BSF could curb the planet-warming methane emitted into the atmosphere when organic waste breaks down.

• BSFs aren't pests and don't bite or carry diseases. Their larvae can be pet food, digest all kinds of human waste, and can even be processed into plastic.BSFs aren't pests, don't bite, or carry diseases. Their larvae can be pet food, digest all kinds of human waste, and even be processed into plastic.