Can you create a bioweapon?

Gene therapy involves repairing or replacing a gene of an organism, permanently changing its genetic composition. By replacing existing genes with harmful genes, this technique can be used to manufacture bioweapons (2).

What are ethnic weapons?

Now a new kind of weapon is being added to the arsenal of biological warfare. This is the so-called ethnic weapon, a chemical or biological weapon designed to attack specific populations racially distinct from those using the weapon.

Can diseases be weaponized?

Many viral agents have been studied and/or weaponized, including some of the Bunyaviridae (especially Rift Valley fever virus), Ebolavirus, many of the Flaviviridae (especially Japanese encephalitis virus), Machupo virus, Marburg virus, Variola virus, and yellow fever virus.

What is the meaning of biological weapon?

Biological weapons are microorganisms like virus, bacteria, fungi, or other toxins that are produced and released deliberately to cause disease and death in humans, animals or plants. Bioterrorism attacks could also result in an epidemic, for example if Ebola or Lassa viruses were used as the biological agents.

What are genetic weapons?

An ethnic bioweapon (or a biogenetic weapon) is a type of theoretical bioweapon which could only target or primarily target people of specific ethnicities or people with specific genotypes.

What means bio weapon?

Overview. Biological weapons are microorganisms like virus, bacteria, fungi, or other toxins that are produced and released deliberately to cause disease and death in humans, animals or plants.

How biological weapons are used?

Sometimes known as “germ warfare,” biological weapons involve the use of toxins or infectious agents that are biological in origin. This can include bacteria, viruses, or fungi. These agents are used to incapacitate or kill humans, animals, or plants as part of a war effort.

What are three types of biological weapons?

Biological weapons can be directed against crops and livestock, in addition to humans. The CDC separates potential bioterrorism agents that cause infections in humans into three categories, designated as A, B, and C [source: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/Agent/agentlist.asp, accessed 4/7/03].

Which of the following are characteristics of biological weapons?

The following characteristics of biological warfare make them weapons of choice for mass destruction and terrorist action: incubation period (not immediate), amount required is less than chemical warfare agents, odorless, colorless, production with no need for specialized equipment, and natural distribution means that …

Is there such thing as an ethnic bioweapon?

In 1997, U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen referred to the concept of an ethnic bioweapon as a possible risk. In 1998 some biological weapon experts considered such a “genetic weapon” plausible, and believed the former Soviet Union had undertaken some research on the influence of various substances on human genes.

Is it possible to target a particular ethnic group with biological weapons?

In 2005 the official view of the International Committee of the Red Cross was “The potential to target a particular ethnic group with a biological agent is probably not far off. These scenarios are not the product of the ICRC’s imagination but have either occurred or been identified by countless independent and governmental experts.”

Is there such a thing as a genetic weapon?

Genetic weapons In 1997, U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen referred to the concept of an ethnic bioweapon as a possible risk. In 1998 some biological weapon experts considered such a “genetic weapon” plausible, and believed the former Soviet Union had undertaken some research on the influence of various substances on human genes.

Why were these race specific bio- weapons publically disclosed?

The fact that these race specific bio-weapons were publically disclosed indicates that the government behind these weapons wants the public to be aware of their existence prior to their use.