Ethnic bioweapon: Difference between revisions
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An '''ethnic bioweapon''' aims to harm only or primarily persons of specific ethnicities or [[genotype]]s. The viability of ethnic bioweapons is disputed, the biggest obstacle being the diversity of the human genotype and the effective non-existence of human [[race]]s.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,959473,00.html Smart bio-weapons are now possible], [[The Guardian]], May 20, 2003</ref> |
An '''ethnic bioweapon''' aims to harm only or primarily persons of specific ethnicities or [[genotype]]s. The viability of ethnic bioweapons is disputed, the biggest obstacle being the diversity of the human genotype and the effective non-existence of human [[race]]s.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,959473,00.html Smart bio-weapons are now possible], [[The Guardian]], May 20, 2003</ref> In 1997 [[U.S. Secretary of Defense]] |
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[[William Cohen]] referred to the concept as a possible risk.<ref>{{cite web|author=William Cohen|title=Terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and U.S. Strategy|date=April 28, 1997|work=Sam Nunn Policy Forum, University of Georgia|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/1997/t042897_t0428coh.html|accessdate=2006-07-12}}</ref> |
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An opposing view on the possibility of a "genetic bomb" is present in [[Vincent Sarich]]'s and [[Frank Miele]]'s book, '[[Race: The Reality of Human Differences]]'. The authors believe that information from the [[Human Genome Project]] will be used in just such a manner. Some biological weapon experts do consider such a "genetic weapon" as a plausible possibility, and believe the former [[Soviet Union]] may have undertaken some research on the influence of various substances on human genes.<ref>[http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,16272,00.html Interview of Dr Christopher Davis, UK Defence Intelligence Staff], [[PBS]]</ref> |
An opposing view on the possibility of a "genetic bomb" is present in [[Vincent Sarich]]'s and [[Frank Miele]]'s book, '[[Race: The Reality of Human Differences]]'. The authors believe that information from the [[Human Genome Project]] will be used in just such a manner. Some biological weapon experts do consider such a "genetic weapon" as a plausible possibility, and believe the former [[Soviet Union]] may have undertaken some research on the influence of various substances on human genes.<ref>[http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,16272,00.html Interview of Dr Christopher Davis, UK Defence Intelligence Staff], [[PBS]]</ref> |
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News reports have linked the [[South Africa and weapons of mass destruction|South Africa]]n [[apartheid]]-regime and [[Israel and weapons of mass destruction|Israel]] to search for ethnic bioweapons.<ref>[http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,16272,00.html Israel's Ethnic Weapon?], [[Wired News]], Nov 16, 1998</ref> |
News reports have linked the [[South Africa and weapons of mass destruction|South Africa]]n [[apartheid]]-regime and [[Israel and weapons of mass destruction|Israel]] to search for ethnic bioweapons.<ref>[http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,16272,00.html Israel's Ethnic Weapon?], [[Wired News]], Nov 16, 1998</ref> |
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== Allegations against Israel == |
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In November 1998, the [[Sunday Times]] reported that Israel was attempting to build an "ethno-bomb" containing a biological agent that could specifically target genetic traits present amongst Arab populations.<ref>{{cite news|title=Israel planning 'ethnic' bomb as Saddam caves in|coauthors=Mahanaima, Uzi and Colvin, Marie|publisher=[[The Sunday Times (UK)]]|date=1998-11-15|accessdate=2006-07-11}}</ref> [[Wired]] also reported the story<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel's Ethnic Weapon? |publisher=[[Wired]] |url=http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,16272,00.html |date=[[1998-11-16]]}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/news/9904,ridgeway,3697,6.html |title=Ethnic Warfare |publisher=[[The Village Voice]] |author=James Ridgeway |date=February 2, 1999}}</ref>, as did [[Foreign Report]] <ref>{{cite news |url=http://listserv.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind9811&L=justwatch-l&D=0&P=28059 |title=UPI report}}</ref>. Expert reaction to the reports was skeptical towards the scientific plausibility of such a biological agent. <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/news/1998/12/02news2.html|title=Debunking the "ethno-bomb"|date=1998-12-02|accessdate=2006-07-11|publisher=[[Salon.com]]}}</ref> The [[New York Post]], describing the claims as "blood libel", reported that the likely source for the story was a work of science fiction by Israeli academic Doron Stanitsky. Stanitsky had sent his completely fictional work about such a weapon to Israeli newspapers two years before. The article also noted the views of genetic researchers who claimed the idea as "wholly fantastical".<ref>{{cite news|title=Now Playing: A Blood Libel For The 21st Century|publisher=[[New York Post]]|date=1998-11-22|accessdate=2006-07-12}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 00:31, 22 August 2006
An ethnic bioweapon aims to harm only or primarily persons of specific ethnicities or genotypes. The viability of ethnic bioweapons is disputed, the biggest obstacle being the diversity of the human genotype and the effective non-existence of human races.[1] In 1997 U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen referred to the concept as a possible risk.[2]
An opposing view on the possibility of a "genetic bomb" is present in Vincent Sarich's and Frank Miele's book, 'Race: The Reality of Human Differences'. The authors believe that information from the Human Genome Project will be used in just such a manner. Some biological weapon experts do consider such a "genetic weapon" as a plausible possibility, and believe the former Soviet Union may have undertaken some research on the influence of various substances on human genes.[3]
News reports have linked the South African apartheid-regime and Israel to search for ethnic bioweapons.[4]
Allegations against Israel
In November 1998, the Sunday Times reported that Israel was attempting to build an "ethno-bomb" containing a biological agent that could specifically target genetic traits present amongst Arab populations.[5] Wired also reported the story[6] [7], as did Foreign Report [8]. Expert reaction to the reports was skeptical towards the scientific plausibility of such a biological agent. [9] The New York Post, describing the claims as "blood libel", reported that the likely source for the story was a work of science fiction by Israeli academic Doron Stanitsky. Stanitsky had sent his completely fictional work about such a weapon to Israeli newspapers two years before. The article also noted the views of genetic researchers who claimed the idea as "wholly fantastical".[10]
See also
References
- ^ Smart bio-weapons are now possible, The Guardian, May 20, 2003
- ^ William Cohen (April 28, 1997). "Terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and U.S. Strategy". Sam Nunn Policy Forum, University of Georgia. Retrieved 2006-07-12.
- ^ Interview of Dr Christopher Davis, UK Defence Intelligence Staff, PBS
- ^ Israel's Ethnic Weapon?, Wired News, Nov 16, 1998
- ^ "Israel planning 'ethnic' bomb as Saddam caves in". The Sunday Times (UK). 1998-11-15.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ "Israel's Ethnic Weapon?". Wired. 1998-11-16.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ James Ridgeway (February 2, 1999). "Ethnic Warfare". The Village Voice.
- ^ "UPI report".
- ^ "Debunking the "ethno-bomb"". Salon.com. 1998-12-02. Retrieved 2006-07-11.
- ^ "Now Playing: A Blood Libel For The 21st Century". New York Post. 1998-11-22.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help)