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Biological Weapons
The three most important developments in biological warfare are genetically modified organisms, microencapsulation of biowar agents and microrocket delivery systems.
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Within ten to twenty years many microbial geneticists believe it will be possible to modify microorganism genomes to enhance pathogenic characteristics such as infectiousness, virulence, and tolerance to environmental stress. One example is creating supervirulent smallpox by genetic modification. Recent experiments with the mousepox virus, which is genetically related to smallpox, show that by adding a gene called Interleukin 4, could increase the virulence of the virus by a factor of three. Normally the mousepox virus kills 30% of the infected mice. With the added gene 100% of the mice were killed. This in spite of mice being vaccinated against mousepox. The implications of this experiment is , that if properly delivered, genetically modified smallpox could kill most of the US population. Our whole vaccination program would be worthless. Another program of the government is to stockpile Cipro, an antibiotic used to treat anthrax. A scientist has recently developed a Cipro resistant strain of the organism. It appears that microorganisms can created to resist any kind of treatment.
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Another development in biowar capabilities is microencapsulation of infectious organisms. Microencapsulation involves coating microorganisms (could include spores, freeze dried agents, biochemical agents or viruses) with substances which protect microorganisms from environmental stress and provide a stabilizing chemical environment. This technology would enable all kinds of diseases to become bioweapons which could be spread through the air. Examples could be HIV, Ebola, prion diseases (Mad Cow Disease) and other diseases not normally spread by this method.
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The final development in biowar capabilities is in microrocket delivery systems. With developments in nanotechnology, it will be possible to develop rockets with very small lightweight engines. Such rockets could be 12 feet long and could carry a one kilogram payload to intercontinental range. They could be mass produced and launched in large numbers. They could carry biowar agents and overwhelm any projected missile defense system.