Edible Insects

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Insects are emerging as a potential food source of the future. And while it may make some diners feel a little squeamish, edible insects are also considered by some as an exciting new area in medicine and science.

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Children touch Rhinocerous beetles and place scorpions on their palms.

[Soundbite] "People can eat the larvae. They are edible insects."

After learning about insects that are raised for food, children taste cookies actually made out of insects. Some 8,000 rare insects of roughly 600 species that are hard to spot in Korea have been put on display in one place. Insects are gaining attention not only in terms education or as a source of food, but also in the field of food and biomedicine. Recently, it has been discovered that an antibiotic extracted from scolopendra subspinipes mutilans is effective in treating atopic dermatitis. CopA3 extracted from Scarab beetles are being used in treatment for chronic enteritis. Since 2010, more than 20 patent applications have been filed every year for materials extracted from insects to be used for disease treatment or cosmetic applications.

[Soundbite] Park Sun-young(PhD in Chemistry) : "It should be recognized that insects can be not only an alternative for food and protein but also resources in diverse areas."

Experts recommend that Korea cooperate with tropical countries with abundant biological diversity such as Malaysia, to secure insect resources.