The Dark Side of Biotechnology

Abstract

Several speakers at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science addressed concerns that recent developments in molecular biology have undermined the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, necessitating compliance verification changes in this international treaty banning the development and use of biological weapons. A group of scientists, military analysts, and arms control experts discussed types of biological research projects funded by the Department of Defense which could be diverted to the production of relatively efficient, inexpensive new weapons. Most of the panelists challenged the Pentagon's claim that biological weapons are currently being developed by the Soviet Union. (KIE abstract)