IP: From the London Observer -- US plan to strike enemy with Valium andgenetically-modified bugs

[David Farber <dfarber () earthlink net>]

-----Original Message-----
From: "John F. McMullen" <observer () westnet com>
Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 13:23:10 
To: johnmacsgroup () yahoogroups com
Subject: From the London Observer -- US plan to strike enemy with Valium and
 genetically-modified bugs

---------- Forwarded message ----------
WOW! -- johnmac

http://www.observer.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,722395,00.html

US plan to strike enemy with Valium
Pentagon scientists aim for future battlefield victories with the aid of
tranquillising drugs and GM bugs
by Antony Barnett, public affairs editor
The Observer <http://www.observer.co.uk>

American military chiefs are developing plans to use Valium as a potential
weapon against enemy forces and to control hostile populations, according
to official documents seen by The Observer.

The Pentagon has also asked scientists to evaluate proposals to use
genetically modified bugs that 'eat' the enemy's fuel and ammunition
supplies without harming humans.

The development of these 'non-lethal' weapons angers campaigners who claim
that they would breach international treaties on biological and chemical
weapons.

US documents reveal that two years ago the Pentagon commissioned
scientists at Pennsylvania State University to look at potential military
uses for a range of chemicals known as calmatives. The scientists
concluded that several drugs would be effective to control crowds or in
military operations such as anti-terrorist campaigns. The drugs they
recommended for 'immediate consideration' included diazepam, better known
as the tranquilliser Valium, and dexmedetomidine, used to sedate patients
in intensive care. The scientists advised that these drugs can
'effectively act on central nervous system tissues and produces a less
anxious, less aggressive, more tranquil-like behaviour'.

Other official documents reveal how genetically engineered micro-organisms
to destroy equipment but not harm troops are also being considered by US
military scientists as 'non-lethal' weapons. One proposal from the Office
of Naval Research in Arlington, Virginia, proposes creating genetically
modified bugs that would corrode roads and runways and produce 'targeted
deterioration of metal parts, coatings and lubricants of weapons vehicles
and support equipment as well as fuels'.

This group of scientists has already patented micro-organisms that would
decompose polyurethane, 'a common component of paint for ships and
aircraft'. Another proposal from a biotech laboratory at Brooks air force
base in Texas was to modify 'anti-material biocatalysts' already under
development. One of these breaks down fuels and plastics.

Most of the research was funded by Washington's joint non-lethal weapons
programme, in which Britain plays an active part. But further US
documents, also seen by The Observer, reveal how a split has developed
between the two nations, with British officials backing campaigners'
claims that using drugs such as Valium or other calmatives would be
outlawed under the 1991 Chemical Weapons Convention. This protocol
prohibits 'any chemical which... can cause death, temporary incapacitation
or permanent harm'.

A report of a meeting in the Ministry of Defence's headquarters in London
in November 2000 states: 'The US and UK interpret the Chemical Weapons
Convention (CWC) differently regarding riot control agents (RCA). The UK
interpretation considers them to be chemical weapons under the CWC and
thus proscribed; the US view is that they are not banned under that
agreement.

This could lead to difficulties in combined operations in certain
circumstances, a situation compounded by the fact that the UK is a
signatory to the European Convention of Human Rights, which further
governs the use of NLW [non-lethal weapons].'

Some experts believe the use of genetically-modified microbes in military
operations would breach the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. Ed
Hammond of the Sunshine Project - the US campaigners against biological
and chemical weapons that obtained the documents - said: 'What is
absolutely shocking about these disclosures is that it represents either a
massive institutional failure to implement US commitments under
international treaties or it reflects an effort by some people in the
Pentagon to undermine those treaties.'

A US military spokesman has denied that the Pentagon is developing
'non-lethal' biological or chemical weapons.

A spokesman from the Foreign Office said: 'There are discussions between
Britain and the US on all sorts of technical issues. But we both share a
commitment to comply with all the international conventions governing
chemical and biological weapons.'

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