Genetically Engineered Germ Warfare

By Chie Theresa Fujioka

The discovery of the process of genetic engineering was a great breakthrough. It allows people to modify things as they are found naturally, into specialized material or information. The process of genetic engineering is used in medicine, forensics, warfare, and many other areas. It allows a better use of resources. In the case of warfare, genetic engineering is almost a savior to countries with limited resources, since it takes a relatively small amount of money compared to bombs and the like. This makes it a popular area of research among many countries. Like any weapon, it has good parts and bad parts, but its efficiency makes it stand out among other weaponry.

Genetically Engineered Germ Warfare is the use of genetic engineering to modify/create viral/bacterial diseases to wage war on an enemy. By insertion of recombinant DNA containing desirable traits into already existing disease causing microbes, scientists can develop specialized germs. There are two forms of germ warfare. The first, called microbial germ warfare, is a direct method. The germ released on the victims directly attacks the cells or their functions. The other method, or the use of biologically derived bioactive substances, uses the toxins, hormones, neuropeptides, or cytokines released by the microbes’ metabolism to bring about the desired effect. (Neuropeptides are peptides that stimulate cells and affect the nervous system. Cytokines are small proteins or biological factors released by cells that have special effects on cell-cell interaction, communication and the behavior of other cells.)

Many microorganisms have potential for being modified and used for warfare. The most commonly mentioned or feared forms are bacillus anthracis (anthrax), AIDS/HIV, Pfiesteria piscicida, smallpox, Clostridium perfringens, Ebola, Escherichia Coli (e. coli), Haemophilus Influenzae, Yersinia Pestis (Black Death), Vibrio Cholera, Staphylococcus Aureus, S. Dysenteriae (Shiga Bacillus), Salmonella typhi, and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE). Some of these have been used in the past, but if they are currently being used, most likely the confidentiality of the topic keeps the public from knowing. The scientists use DNA from these and other microbes in their work, combining properties of efficiency, effect, durability, spread, etc.

The results and efficiency of warfare, using germs and other biological substances can be seen in history. Although there were a few failures, many had widespread effects. Before history was even recorded, people used to dip weaponry in manure before piercing enemies, to ensure their death. Two of the earliest recorded battles using biological warfare occurred during the 6th century BC when the Assyrians poisoned enemy wells with rye ergot, and Solon of Athens poisoned enemy water supplies with skunk cabbage. However, the first occurrence of germ warfare being used in battle was in 1346 AD. Tartars catapulted corpses of smallpox or black plague victims over the walls of Kaffa. This is believed to have resulted in the long period of disease commonly known as the black plague. Later, in 1797, during his Italian campaign, Napoleon attempted to infect the residents of Mantua with swamp fever. There have been many other cases, including Germany, Japan, and the US. Some of them even include testing on unknowing citizens.

The common usage of germ warfare shows that numerous people have realized the advantages. Germ warfare generally has qualities making it much more effective and useful than bombs and chemicals. Not much of an agent is needed in a host to reproduce and spread. Because of a microbe’s ability to duplicate itself, the disease can quickly increase. In comparison, chemical warfare is only local: it doesn’t spread through victims. Another advantage of using germ warfare microbes is that germs are extremely miniscule, and not easily detectable. They can be distributed through air, food, land, etc. with little trouble. Not only that, but since biological warfare tools are extremely toxic, a small amount can do a lot of damage. For example, if the dot of an “i” were filled with botox, a substance commonly used in biological warfare (not germ), and delivered properly, about 10 people could die. Although the effectiveness of microbes vary, the advantage should be very clear. Because there isn’t much protection against genetically engineered forms of microorganisms, humans are very susceptible. When an enemy’s soldiers, nurses, etc. get knocked out from disease, the situation usually is hopeless unless a vaccine is found. This is what happened when the Tartars besieged Kappa. The people’s forces were so maimed, they could no longer fight and were forced to surrender. An obvious advantage to germ warfare is that, while in the right conditions in the lab, it can duplicate itself many times over, allowing for a fairly large amount of agent in a short period of time. This makes germ warfare extremely desirable by various groups of people.

However, there are also disadvantages to this. First, one must have knowledge about the genome of the germs being worked with. Secondly, workers must be protected. If the germ being developed is somehow unleashed on the “wrong side” there is major trouble. For dangerous microorganisms, such as Ebola, sometimes high-level biohazard quarantines are needed. These can be expensive to maintain. There must be good quality control. When any germ is genetically altered, sometimes, important qualities are destroyed, like resistance to certain conditions. It must be made sure, during delivery, that the environment is ideal for the spread of the microbe. If placed too low to the ground, the range of contact will be much lower than if placed in an air stream. If delivered on a rainy day, the agent could be washed away before coming into contact with a desired target. Even before delivery, storage must be ideal to keep the bacteria etc from dying etc. Finally, when the germs are released, one must be sure that they are “just right.” If anything is wrong, the microbe could begin to destroy unintended targets. Although genetic alteration allows for specific genetic code attacking germs, a flaw could do a lot. These cautions are necessary to the successful creation and release of a genetically engineered germ.

However, there are more problems than those. Here in America, there is little protection against any type of germ warfare. Unfortunately, there are not enough vaccines to supply for everyone if there were a breakout of disease. Not only that, but there is little training on what to do when an unknown disease attacks. Most likely, people would panic and run to the hospital. By the time the signs of disease are evident, they probably would have spread it to friends and family. From there, the number of infected people would increase exponentially. Moreover, the doctors at the hospitals probably would not know what was happening and would not realized the necessity of containing infected people. Since susceptibility would be great worldwide, there would not be much to stop it. During the Black Plague’s rampage through Europe, thousands were killed, yet a minute amount of people had a natural immunity to it caused by some related disease or such which they had once contracted. That would probably be the ratio of killed to survivors. Even worse, there is evidence of biological warfare stacks in other countries. It is hard to screen for these weapons, since they can be disguised as many things. This creates many problems in the way of protection from germ warfare.

Because of all of the things, there is plenty of controversy about whether the US should pursue a germ warfare. There have been times in the past where the US tested different diseases on unknowing people. The most recent accusation was about Gulf War Syndrome, where soldiers came down with a mystery disease later found to be anthrax. There is confusion as to who infected the soldiers, but nevertheless, the risk is obvious. There is also the risk of an ethnic bomb, designed only to effect people of certain racial origin. What would happen if terrorist groups or enemy countries were able to get cultures and release them? To be safe, vaccines should be developed before release of any new germ. But then again, vaccines have been found to have problems, causing people to contract the same disease it is meant to prevent. Sometimes the media hypes up these possibilities in movies etc, but the danger is still great. In creating genetically engineered microbes, the government takes on a huge responsibility for the people of the country, which they do not always live up to. This causes much controversy about whether these diseases which have killed people should be modified.

Genetically engineered germ warfare is a great resource. Whether direct or BDBS, it is an effective tool during war. It is the “poor man’s atomic bomb” with the same consequences and risks. Like any weapon, there are pros and cons, depending on a few details. As a common area of research among warring countries, it poses both danger and promise.

Bibliography

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