The potential for abuse of genetics in militarily significant biological weapons

Concern has been expressed at successive Review Conferences of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) regarding the possible misuse of new biological knowledge; this article reviews some of these developments. Genetic manipulation, and genomics in particular, would modify existing pathog...

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Published in:Medicine, conflict, and survival conflict, and survival, 2002-04, Vol.18 (2), p.138-156
Main Authors: Whitby, Simon, Millett, Piers, Dando, Malcolm
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arms limitation
Bioethics
Biological warfare
Biological Warfare - trends
Biological weapons
Biotechnology
Biotechnology - trends
Conflict
Ethics
Fungi
Fungi - genetics
Genetic research
Genetic Vectors - physiology
Genetics
Genomics
Genomics - trends
Health
Humans
Inspection
International Cooperation
Military applications
Military research
Military Science
Morality
Science
Scientific research
Treaties
Viruses
Viruses - genetics
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description Concern has been expressed at successive Review Conferences of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) regarding the possible misuse of new biological knowledge; this article reviews some of these developments. Genetic manipulation, and genomics in particular, would modify existing pathogens and render previously harmless organisms pathogenic. Viruses could be modified as vectors to alter their pathogenicity in animals and man or act as carriers for genes or toxins. Plant pathogens, particularly fungi, could be modified as biological warfare agents against crops. An effective verification protocol for the BTWC is an essential part of the web of deterrence against these developments.
doi_str_mv 10.1080/13623690208409620
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source International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS); PAIS Index; Access via JSTOR; Taylor and Francis Social Sciences and Humanities Collection
subjects Arms limitation
Bioethics
Biological warfare
Biological Warfare - trends
Biological weapons
Biotechnology
Biotechnology - trends
Conflict
Ethics
Fungi
Fungi - genetics
Genetic research
Genetic Vectors - physiology
Genetics
Genomics
Genomics - trends
Health
Humans
Inspection
International Cooperation
Military applications
Military research
Military Science
Morality
Science
Scientific research
Treaties
Viruses
Viruses - genetics
title The potential for abuse of genetics in militarily significant biological weapons
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