BBC Focus Magazine

[Healerman]

Spider silk has been recognised for some time as a very desirable material to be produced commercially. Looks like they may have cracked it.

Scientists have genetically engineered silkworms to make artificial spider silk.
It is hoped the breakthrough could lead to the development of stronger fibres for textiles, bandages for burn victims and bullet-proof vests.
The GM silkworms spin tough fibres containing spider silk proteins that are more elastic and extensible, making it more suitable for use in a range of medical applications.
Territorialism and cannibalism among spiders pose challenges to spider farming as a viable means of manufacturing silk.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/scie ... -webs.html

Of course, introduce the genes into a pig and Homer will have to do a rewrite...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=714-Ioa4XQw

[M Paul Lloyd]

Homer: Spider-Pig, Spider-Pig, Spider-Pig .. does what a Spider-Pig does.

Marg: My, my, how did footprints get on the ceiling!!?