Sex Life of the Screwworm - Heres to Research!

WaPo points out that research into basic science - which we've been pretty drastically eliminating over the years - is actually pretty damn useful.

Federally-funded research of dog urine ultimately gave scientists and understanding of the effect of hormones on the human kidney, which in turn has been helpful for diabetes patients. A study called “Acoustic Trauma in the Guinea Pig” resulted in treatment of early hearing loss in infants. And that randy screwworm study? It helped researchers control the population of a deadly parasite that targets cattle

The thing about basic research is that you can't guarantee success.  The conventional take on it is that people knew what they were aiming for, but that is about as far from the truth as you can get.  Serendipity is always stalking you, and you never know what you might find around the next blind-alley.
That said, the one sure thing is that - to borrow a phrase - if you don't play, you can't win.

Heres hoping toward more 'screwball' research...