I have been lurking on this forum for a long time now and have been following kraig Biocraft since 2012. I originally became aware of this company through my popular science activity. I am writing a blog in Hungarian mostly about GMOs.
And I have noticed something that is rarely mentioned on this sub and usually left out of every calculation: These silkworms are considered GMOs and their silk is a GM-product. Most countries on Earth will require some kind of authorisation to even be able to import and sell them. Honestly, i have no idea what kind of legalisation applies to silk from GM-silkworms, but I would be surprised if these fabrics could be exported to the EU for instance without any kind of legal hassle.
I am pretty sure, none of us wants some Greenpeace assholes burning tons of silk just because their religion, and get Kraig Biocraft a reputation similar to Monsanto's. And if you study the history of GMOs in general, it is the absolute worst idea to dump GMOs into stores and let ordinary people buy them. Within days dark greens will organise protests and will ban the product from the majority of countries.
However this approach by Kraig Biocraft seems innovative and totally different from the old one. First just show the product as a concept. A few killer clothes, make them desirable but not threatening, it will take a long time to ship them to any store near you. Then sell them at an exorbitant price, that only the richest can afford. If I were the CEO, I would send a complimentary gift to every celebrity and politician in the EU. Make spider silk a highly sought after item that only the richest can afford and enjoy. And then start to sell bulk quantities, when people have been accustomed to the idea of wearing spider silk.
So most likely a slow start would be highly desirable in this situation. Not threaten the population, clearly mark it with trademarks, so no one would feel he is pressured into buying GM-silk. This collaboration with this M guy is the perfect path IMHO: Make it accessible but highly exclusive! In six months everyone will want a spider silk shirt (and no one will ask questions about GMOs), the company just needs to take a gentler approach.
So I highly support these kind of gigs.
