Can Cyborg Critters Sniff Out WMDs?

Aside from the unspeakable cruelty of using living creatures in this way, I can't see the cyborg thing being a cost effective alternative to the insect-like robots (which are very cool).

I would expect a) high failure rates due to innate immune responses b) high mortality and/or short lifespan of insects used in this way.

You might as well take your high tech and toss it, IMHO. A genuine robot is more robust.

The project discussed in this article doesn't derive any advantage from using a living insect instead of a true bot, other than looking realistic - but realistic looks are achievable anyway with polymer technology. Unless you expect to find WMD in the natural habitat of the insect or it is fully integrated with the inclination to seek out the chemical in question (see the linked article about moths chasing pheromone-daubed stolen money for example), complete physical control and direction of the cyborg is required - as described in this article. No advantage is derived from the animals' natural senses here. The controller has to know where to look, how to direct the creature from a distance - not feasible unless there's an integrated camera as well, for any distance applications. Add a camera? Increase your failure rate due to biological complications.

The only real difference between a robot and these 'cyborgs' is that living creatures are aware and therefore are capable of suffering.

IMHO this kind of MEMS technology has weapons potential - the capacity to cause pain and disability from a distance - and this is the most likely application for it.

Check out this Cyborg RAT.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=250690578689&Category=23160&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D2