-Caveat Lector-
US: Silver Bullet Or Poison Chalice: The Biowar Against
Drugs
Newshawk: Tom O'Connell
Pubdate: June, 1999
Source: Scientific American (US)
Page: 75
Copyright: 1999 Scientific American, Inc
Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Website: http://www.sciam.com/
Note: This short article appeared as a side bar on a
longer article,
"Biologicel Warfare Against Crops," by Paul Rogers,
Simon Whitby, &
Malcolm Dundo, all biological warfare experts from
Bradford University
in England.
SILVER BULLET OR POISON CHALICE: THE BIOWAR
AGAINST DRUGS
Last year the U.S. Congress approved a $23-million
antidrug program
that includes research on plant pathogens.
Among the target plants are those that produce
narcotics such as
cocaine, heroin and marijuana.
Advocates of the program hail it as a potential
breakthrough.
Representative Bill McCollum of Florida, one of the
co-sponsors of the
legislation, said, "All of the indications are that
this has the potential for
making a big difference in the drug war.... This could
be the silver
bullet."
Article I of the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons
Convention
(BTWC) bans the development, production and stockpiling
of biological
agents intended "for hostile purposes or in armed
conflict." Also
outlawed are biological weapons "that have no
justification for
prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes."
Proponents of the
use of plant pathogens against drug crops therefore
point out that they
would be used in cooperative proqrams with states in
which the drugs
are produced.
Opponents of the plans have three concerns.
One is that induced epidemics might, in some
circumstances, spread to
other plants.
Another is that plant pathogens could be used in
drug-proclucing regions
without the consent of the state in question.
Whereas such use might be popular with antidrug
agencies, it would
almost certainly breach the BTWC and also set a
dangerous precedent.
The greatest concern, however, is that the development
of a capability
to destroy drug crops with plant pathogens will
inevitably provide a
wealth of knowledge and practical experience that could
readily be
applied in much more aggressive, offensive biological
warfare targeting
food crops.
- - Paul Rogers, Simon Whitby, & Malcolm Dundo
DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic
screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters
and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright
frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects
spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL
gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers;
be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and
nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
Archives Available at:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html
http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
========================================================================
To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
