Ethnic bioweapon

The term ethnic weapon or biogenic weapon is called a hypothetical sub- form of biological weapons, their effectiveness should be directed to a particular ethnic group. Such weapons are to be made ​​possible by genetic differences between members of different ethnic groups.

About the possibility of and the threat posed by ethnic weapons are there in the research no consensus explains Carina Dennis, that "most experts are of the opinion that the excitement over biotechnologically modified weapons outweigh the threat" would, however, cautions against realistic hazards. In a study published in 2003, the Sunshine Project was also warned of the potential applications of ethnic weapons.

Basics

The development of ethnic weapons must first alleles exist that are significantly present in a group and not or can hardly find in any other group. These genes must be usable for biological weapons development. In the research will doubts that these conditions are met. Thus, the molecular biologist Kathryn Nixdorff loudly declared Guardian that the development of ethnic weapons is unlikely for several reasons. " It has been pointed out in various reports that races do not exist from a genetic perspective; within a group, there is generally a higher genetic variability than between ethnic groups. "

In contrast, describes the Sunshine Project ethnic weapons as an already present realistic threat, inter alia, to a study of SARS disease in Taiwan. The Working Group Marie Lins came to the following conclusions: " Densely populated regions with a genetically South Asian populations seem to be more affected by the spread of SARS infection. Until recently, no credible SARS patients were found in the indigenous, Taiwanese population, in being genetically different from the general Taiwanese population, that it has no human leukocyte antigen HLA -B * 4601, but a high density of HLA- B * 1301. " According to the Sunshine Project, these results indicate that the development of ethnic weapons is a realistic possibility. The potential danger of such weapons was also briefly addressed by the former U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen.

History

Already in the seventies ethnic weapons were discussed. in the journal Military Review Carl A. Larson had speculated on possible uses ethnic weapons. The United States investigated the applicability of the San Joaquin Valley fever for these purposes, as African-Americans and Filipinos in general showed more susceptible to the pathogen Coccidioides immitis than European-Americans.

Under the code name Project Coast, the South African apartheid government pursued from 1983 to upgrade with chemical and biological weapons. While at the beginning merely defensive measures against chemical and biological weapons should be developed, one later went on also to research on ethnic weapons.