Zadania
05-02-2004, 05:07
Numerous armed forces and research institutions worldwide are currently engaged in efforts to develop so-called anti-material chemical and biological weaponry. Biological anti-material weapons are microbes that are genetically engineers to produce caustic substances or enzymes that have the capability to degrade a myriad of substances, including cement, polyurethane, paint, lubricants, and fuel, etc. Bacteriological weapons can have devastating effects on all kinds of biodiversity, including humans, animals, plants, and other life. They can also be used against resources, for example water or food supplies and, in modern applications, against natural and manufactured materials. This could allow a nation, during armed conflict, to eliminate the military infrastructure of an enemy with slight or no casualties. Chemical anti-material weapons are composite compounds that may have specific effects on various surfaces.
Practically every major new technology in history has been heavily exploited for military purposes. Considering the far-reaching implications of genetic techniques, the ability to modify fundamental life processes, and their possibilities for both peaceful and hostile applications, it is crucial to avert the hostile exploitation of modern biotechnology through legal prohibitions and precautionary approaches. The strong international norm against biological weapons is increasingly deteriorating, with a prospect of opening a new biological arms race based on biotechnology. Preventing this possibility will require regulation of biotechnology and enforcement of the norm against biological warfare to work hand in hand.
Researchers are isolating natural microorganisms that degrade a variety of materials (plastics, rubber, metals, etc.) and then using genetic engineering to make them more powerful and focused. The work is purportedly defensive, although no threat has been articulated and ongoing research by the nations continue to stride towards taking these weapons from the laboratory to the field, including development of systems to facilitate the release of such anti-material microbes.
The most revolutionary and well-known idea of modern day biology is that all living systems owe their existence to the processes of natural selection. On account of this process, one or more per million microbes withstand low to high-level antibiotic assaults. Once surviving the initial onslaught, the microorganisms go onto replicate at devastating rates, creating a new batch of resistant weaponry. What if a biological anti-material weapons were deployed to save lives, but in fact destroyed them?
We must not ever allow these weapons to be used in anger. Underestimating the evolutionary potential of living organisms is the single most important mistake made by those who use chemical means to subdue their fellow human. Such blindness towards security and evolutionary change is at one and the same time the cause for the present dilemma and the source of continued concern for the ensuing consequences of such neglect. Fellow nations may view this new type of weaponry for what it was designed, to save lives. However, the most severe of consequences can and in time will result in the misuse of such weapons. If indeed these weapons are used, and an evolutionary perspective is absent, they are not only likely to lose, but well may push us all into an evolutionary game with the bacterial parasites; in which even our most ambitious and imaginative approaches for control are doomed to fail. Therefore, the People's Republic of Zadania has submitted to following proposal to the United Nations.
Expressing concern over the far-reaching implications of genetic techniques.
Considering it crucial to advert the hostile exploitation of modern biotechnology through globalo agreements.
Recognizing a nation's sovereignty of free choice regarding their defense policy and economic position.
Lokking foward to possible positive outcomes resulting from research.
1. Urges all nations to consider possible outcomes resulting from the deployment and use of bacteriological anti-material weaponry.
2. Supports all nations on their decision on whether to conduct research on bacteriological anti-material weaponry.
3. Defines bacteriological anti-material weaponry as microbes, genetically engineered to produce caustic substances that are designed to degrade non-organic material.
4. Authorizes research into biological anti-material organisms for peaceful intentions only.
5. Condemns and forbids the use of the aforementioned weaponry.
6. Determined to disallow any use of bacteriological anti-material weapons until enough evidence and research allows a more informed decision.
I thank you for your time and consideration of possibly supporting "Anti-Material Weaponry."
Practically every major new technology in history has been heavily exploited for military purposes. Considering the far-reaching implications of genetic techniques, the ability to modify fundamental life processes, and their possibilities for both peaceful and hostile applications, it is crucial to avert the hostile exploitation of modern biotechnology through legal prohibitions and precautionary approaches. The strong international norm against biological weapons is increasingly deteriorating, with a prospect of opening a new biological arms race based on biotechnology. Preventing this possibility will require regulation of biotechnology and enforcement of the norm against biological warfare to work hand in hand.
Researchers are isolating natural microorganisms that degrade a variety of materials (plastics, rubber, metals, etc.) and then using genetic engineering to make them more powerful and focused. The work is purportedly defensive, although no threat has been articulated and ongoing research by the nations continue to stride towards taking these weapons from the laboratory to the field, including development of systems to facilitate the release of such anti-material microbes.
The most revolutionary and well-known idea of modern day biology is that all living systems owe their existence to the processes of natural selection. On account of this process, one or more per million microbes withstand low to high-level antibiotic assaults. Once surviving the initial onslaught, the microorganisms go onto replicate at devastating rates, creating a new batch of resistant weaponry. What if a biological anti-material weapons were deployed to save lives, but in fact destroyed them?
We must not ever allow these weapons to be used in anger. Underestimating the evolutionary potential of living organisms is the single most important mistake made by those who use chemical means to subdue their fellow human. Such blindness towards security and evolutionary change is at one and the same time the cause for the present dilemma and the source of continued concern for the ensuing consequences of such neglect. Fellow nations may view this new type of weaponry for what it was designed, to save lives. However, the most severe of consequences can and in time will result in the misuse of such weapons. If indeed these weapons are used, and an evolutionary perspective is absent, they are not only likely to lose, but well may push us all into an evolutionary game with the bacterial parasites; in which even our most ambitious and imaginative approaches for control are doomed to fail. Therefore, the People's Republic of Zadania has submitted to following proposal to the United Nations.
Expressing concern over the far-reaching implications of genetic techniques.
Considering it crucial to advert the hostile exploitation of modern biotechnology through globalo agreements.
Recognizing a nation's sovereignty of free choice regarding their defense policy and economic position.
Lokking foward to possible positive outcomes resulting from research.
1. Urges all nations to consider possible outcomes resulting from the deployment and use of bacteriological anti-material weaponry.
2. Supports all nations on their decision on whether to conduct research on bacteriological anti-material weaponry.
3. Defines bacteriological anti-material weaponry as microbes, genetically engineered to produce caustic substances that are designed to degrade non-organic material.
4. Authorizes research into biological anti-material organisms for peaceful intentions only.
5. Condemns and forbids the use of the aforementioned weaponry.
6. Determined to disallow any use of bacteriological anti-material weapons until enough evidence and research allows a more informed decision.
I thank you for your time and consideration of possibly supporting "Anti-Material Weaponry."