Biowarfare, genetic weapons, simply a hypothetical concept right? Well because— you guessed it! Another school assignment, I was forced to indulge in my Science Fiction curiosities and explore the possibilities of genetic ware fare.
Disclaimer: I am not a qualified scientist, just a nerd and student in Anatomy 12. Please see my bibliography at the end of this post and do your own further research if you so choose. :)
A concept explored in science fiction, but is it Scientifically possible?
When given the task to research anything to do with DNA/genetics, the Star Trek: Voyager episode “Child’s Play” instantly came to my mind. Using that as inspiration, I quickly settled on genetic war far as my topic. Season 6 episode 19 of Voyager explores this concept of altering bio-warfare when it was revealed Icheb had been genetically modified by his parents to carry a gene that would release a target virus to completely destroy the Borg.
The show’s perspective was that it was very possible to edit genes for war fare as it takes place in a couple centuries where it can be assumed that technology could exist. However, ethically speaking, genetically modifying someone, especially a child’s genes to act as a weapon of war was viewed as an unethical act of war by the protagonists (Starfleet/the Voyager crew).
Star Trek: Voyager may be a science fiction TV show from the 90s but how much of the concept of biological warfare is parallel and accurate to what exists today? If it's possible, how would the ethics and morals depicted in Starfleet be reflected in our societies choices regarding this concept?
Do genetic biological weapons exist?
Until recently the only biological weapons were natural pathogens. However, advances in DNA synthesis are getting biological weapons closer to become a reality. Scientists are able to convert the A-T, C-G into a binary code with zeroes and ones. Hypothetically, soon they could be able to program DNA like a computer program1.
Your genes, a privacy hazard?
23andMe along with other DNA testing sites are having civilians hand over their whole genetic information which could become an extreme privacy hazard in the future. At the moment, 23andMe claims your information is safe and not sold to anyone. Many find assurance in this statement from the company because according to an article on wionews.com, when questioned by the policed 23andMe confessed to selling personal information3. Additionally, there’s risk with the evolution of technology your genes could become highly sensitive information such as you SIN number. If the wrong people infiltrate these companies that collect and have access to your sensitive information, genetic weapons could be targeted against you.
The Worldwide Perspective On Genetic Weapons - A Starfleet Approach?
Some may consider genetic research and gene editing a slippery slope. World leaders and law makers have attempted to prevent any potential for unethical use. An international law, the 1925 Geneva Protocol banned the use of biological weapons in war. Now it’s a war crime.
Canada is apart of 180 states that follows the convention. These nations ensure that biological weapons are not being used. In the present day it’s seen by most of the world as unethical, but with technology evolving the perspective could shift easily and still could pose a threat as rogue states develop the technology. Like any technology, if it falls into the wrong hands it could do harm. Hopefully, as a society we can be inspired by Starfleet’s principles and as technology evolves we make sure it’s with the intent to do no harm.
Bibliography:
1https://www.who.int/health-topics/biological-weapons#tab=tab_1
2https://sites.dartmouth.edu/dujs/2013/03/10/genetically-engineered-bioweapons-a-new-breed-of-weapons-for-modern-warfare/
3https://www.wionews.com/science-technology/ever-heard-about-bio-weapons-that-use-dna-to-kill-specific-person-they-are-reality-now-500285
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