Accession Number:

ADB113338

Title:

Possible Application of Biotechnology to the Development of Biological Agents by Potential Enemies

Descriptive Note:

Special publication Oct 1985-Mar 1987

Corporate Author:

CHEMICAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MD

Personal Author(s):

• White, William E.

Report Date:

1987-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

66.0

Abstract:

Biological agents, including both vegetative organisms and toxins, have posed a considerable threat to the military in the past. New developments in biotechnology, including recombinant DNA, hybridomas, fermentation, and genetics, provide the scientific basis for developing new biological agents and for modifying existing ones. Agents posing little threat in the past may become major concerns in the future. Biotechnology might be used to increase toxicity, to produce large quantities of a material, or to alter the method of delivery. This report begins with a brief description of different disciplines that collectively constitute biotechnology and then describes how selected agents could be modified. The author did not attempt to analyze the technical expertise of potential enemies or investigate their ongoing military research.

Descriptors:

• *BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
• *BIOTECHNOLOGY
• BACTERIA
• BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AGENTS
• CLONES
• DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACIDS
• ENEMY
• FERMENTATION
• GENETIC ENGINEERING
• GENETICS
• MILITARY RESEARCH
• MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
• PEPTIDES
• PROTEINS
• RICKETTSIA
• THREATS
• TOXIC AGENTS
• TOXICITY
• TOXINS AND ANTITOXINS
• VEGETATION
• VIRUSES

Subject Categories:

• Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology
• Chemical, Biological and Radiological Warfare

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE