kensi
2021-09-14 11:16:50 UTC
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2019/08/chinas-military-pursuing-
biotech/159167/
Weaponizing Biotech: How China's Military Is Preparing for a 'New Domain
of Warfare'
Under Beijing's civil-military fusion strategy, the PLA is sponsoring
research on gene editing, human performance enhancement, and more.
By ELSA B. KANIA and WILSON VORNDICK
AUGUST 14, 2019
COMMENTARY
CHINA
BIOWARFARE
We may be on the verge of a brave new world indeed. Today?s advances in
biotechnology and genetic engineering have exciting applications in
medicine ? yet also alarming implications, including for military affairs.
China?s national strategy of military-civil fusion (????) has highlighted
biology as a priority, and the People?s Liberation Army could be at the
forefront of expanding and exploiting this knowledge.
The PLA?s keen interest is reflected in strategic writings and research
that argue that advances in biology are contributing to changing the form
In 2010?s War for Biological Dominance (?????), Guo Jiwei (???), a
professor with the Third Military Medical University, emphasizes the
impact of biology on future warfare.
In 2015, then-president of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences He
Fuchu (???) argued that biotechnology will become the new ?strategic
commanding heights? of national defense, from biomaterials to "brain
control" weapons. Maj. Gen. He has since become the vice president of the
Academy of Military Sciences, which leads China?s military science
enterprise.
Biology is among seven "new domains of warfare" discussed in a 2017 book
by Zhang Shibo (???), a retired general and former president of the
National Defense University, who concludes: ?Modern biotechnology
development is gradually showing strong signs characteristic of an
offensive capability,? including the possibility that
***** "specific ethnic genetic attacks" ***** <---------
could be employed.
The 2017 edition of Science of Military Strategy (???), a textbook
published by the PLA?s National Defense University that is considered to
be relatively authoritative, debuted a section about biology as a domain
of military struggle, similarly mentioning the potential for new kinds of
biological warfare to include ?specific ethnic genetic attacks.?
These are just a few examples of an extensive and evolving literature by
Chinese military scholars and scientists who are exploring new directions
in military innovation.
Following these lines of thinking, the PLA is pursuing military
applications for biology and looking into promising intersections with
other disciplines, including brain science, supercomputing, and artificial
intelligence. Since 2016, the Central Military Commission has funded
projects on military brain science, advanced biomimetic systems,
biological and biomimetic materials, human performance enhancement, and
?new concept? biotechnology.
Gene Editing
Meanwhile, China has been leading the world in the number of trials of the
CRISPR gene-editing technology in humans. Over a dozen clinical trials are
known to have been undertaken, and some of these activities have provoked
global controversy. It?s not clear whether Chinese scientist He Jiankui,
may have received approval or even funding from the government for editing
embryos that became the world?s first genetically modified humans. The
news provoked serious concerns and backlash around the world and in China,
where new legislation has been introduced to increase oversight over such
research. However, there are reasons to be skeptical that China will
overcome its history and track record of activities that are at best
ethically questionable, or at worst cruel and unusual, in healthcare and
medical sciences.
But it is striking how many of China?s CRISPR trials are taking place at
the PLA General Hospital, including to fight cancer. Indeed, the PLA?s
medical institutions have emerged as major centers for research in gene
editing and other new frontiers of military medicine and biotechnology.
The PLA?s Academy of Military Medical Sciences, or AMMS, which China touts
as its ?cradle of training for military medical talent,? was recently
placed directly under the purview of the Academy of Military Science,
which itself has been transformed to concentrate on scientific and
technological innovation. This change could indicate a closer integration
of medical science with military research.
In 2016, an AMMS doctoral researcher published a dissertation, ?Research
on the Evaluation of Human Performance Enhancement Technology,? which
characterized CRISPR-Cas as one of three primary technologies that might
boost troops? combat effectiveness. The supporting research looked at the
effectiveness of the drug Modafinil, which has applications in cognitive
enhancement; and at transcranial magnetic stimulation, a type of brain
stimulation, while also contending that the ?great potential? of CRISPR-
Cas as a ?military deterrence technology in which China should ?grasp the
initiative? in development.
AI + Biotech
The intersection of biotechnology and artificial intelligence promises
unique synergies. The vastness of the human genome ? among the biggest of
big data ? all but requires AI and machine learning to point the way for
CRISPR-related advances in therapeutics or enhancement.
In 2016, the potential strategic value of genetic information led the
Chinese government to launch the National Genebank (?????), which intends
to become the world?s largest repository of such data. It aims to ?develop
and utilize China?s valuable genetic resources, safeguard national
security in bioinformatics (?????), and enhance China?s capability to
seize the strategic commanding heights? in the domain of biotechnology.
The effort is administered by BGI, formerly known as Beijing Genomics
Inc., which is Beijing?s de facto national champion in the field. BGI has
established an edge in cheap gene sequencing, concentrating on amassing
massive amounts of data from a diverse array of sources. The company has a
global presence, including laboratories in California and Australia.
U.S. policymakers have been concerned, if not troubled, by the company?s
access to the genetic information of Americans. BGI has been pursuing a
range of partnerships, including with the University of California and
with the Children?s Hospital of Philadelphia on human genome sequencing.
BGI?s research and partnerships in Xinjiang also raise questions about its
linkage to human rights abuses, including the forced collection of genetic
information from Uighurs in Xinjiang.
There also appear to be links between BGI?s research and military research
activities, particularly with the PLA?s National University of Defense
Technology. BGI?s bioinformatics research has used Tianhe supercomputers
to process genetic information for biomedical applications, while BGI and
NUDT researchers have collaborated on several publications, including the
design of tools for the use of CRISPR.
Biotech?s Expansive Frontier
It will be increasingly important to keep tabs on the Chinese military?s
interest in biology as an emerging domain of warfare, guided by
strategists who talk about potential ?genetic weapons? and the possibility
of a ?bloodless victory.? Although the use of CRISPR to edit genes remains
novel and nascent, these tools and techniques are rapidly advancing, and
what is within the realm of the possible for military applications may
continue to shift as well. In the process, the lack of transparency and
uncertainty of ethical considerations in China?s research initiatives
raise the risks of technological surprise.
175 lines of paranoid ravings. Impressive, even for a ko0k of yourbiotech/159167/
Weaponizing Biotech: How China's Military Is Preparing for a 'New Domain
of Warfare'
Under Beijing's civil-military fusion strategy, the PLA is sponsoring
research on gene editing, human performance enhancement, and more.
By ELSA B. KANIA and WILSON VORNDICK
AUGUST 14, 2019
COMMENTARY
CHINA
BIOWARFARE
We may be on the verge of a brave new world indeed. Today?s advances in
biotechnology and genetic engineering have exciting applications in
medicine ? yet also alarming implications, including for military affairs.
China?s national strategy of military-civil fusion (????) has highlighted
biology as a priority, and the People?s Liberation Army could be at the
forefront of expanding and exploiting this knowledge.
The PLA?s keen interest is reflected in strategic writings and research
that argue that advances in biology are contributing to changing the form
In 2010?s War for Biological Dominance (?????), Guo Jiwei (???), a
professor with the Third Military Medical University, emphasizes the
impact of biology on future warfare.
In 2015, then-president of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences He
Fuchu (???) argued that biotechnology will become the new ?strategic
commanding heights? of national defense, from biomaterials to "brain
control" weapons. Maj. Gen. He has since become the vice president of the
Academy of Military Sciences, which leads China?s military science
enterprise.
Biology is among seven "new domains of warfare" discussed in a 2017 book
by Zhang Shibo (???), a retired general and former president of the
National Defense University, who concludes: ?Modern biotechnology
development is gradually showing strong signs characteristic of an
offensive capability,? including the possibility that
***** "specific ethnic genetic attacks" ***** <---------
could be employed.
The 2017 edition of Science of Military Strategy (???), a textbook
published by the PLA?s National Defense University that is considered to
be relatively authoritative, debuted a section about biology as a domain
of military struggle, similarly mentioning the potential for new kinds of
biological warfare to include ?specific ethnic genetic attacks.?
These are just a few examples of an extensive and evolving literature by
Chinese military scholars and scientists who are exploring new directions
in military innovation.
Following these lines of thinking, the PLA is pursuing military
applications for biology and looking into promising intersections with
other disciplines, including brain science, supercomputing, and artificial
intelligence. Since 2016, the Central Military Commission has funded
projects on military brain science, advanced biomimetic systems,
biological and biomimetic materials, human performance enhancement, and
?new concept? biotechnology.
Gene Editing
Meanwhile, China has been leading the world in the number of trials of the
CRISPR gene-editing technology in humans. Over a dozen clinical trials are
known to have been undertaken, and some of these activities have provoked
global controversy. It?s not clear whether Chinese scientist He Jiankui,
may have received approval or even funding from the government for editing
embryos that became the world?s first genetically modified humans. The
news provoked serious concerns and backlash around the world and in China,
where new legislation has been introduced to increase oversight over such
research. However, there are reasons to be skeptical that China will
overcome its history and track record of activities that are at best
ethically questionable, or at worst cruel and unusual, in healthcare and
medical sciences.
But it is striking how many of China?s CRISPR trials are taking place at
the PLA General Hospital, including to fight cancer. Indeed, the PLA?s
medical institutions have emerged as major centers for research in gene
editing and other new frontiers of military medicine and biotechnology.
The PLA?s Academy of Military Medical Sciences, or AMMS, which China touts
as its ?cradle of training for military medical talent,? was recently
placed directly under the purview of the Academy of Military Science,
which itself has been transformed to concentrate on scientific and
technological innovation. This change could indicate a closer integration
of medical science with military research.
In 2016, an AMMS doctoral researcher published a dissertation, ?Research
on the Evaluation of Human Performance Enhancement Technology,? which
characterized CRISPR-Cas as one of three primary technologies that might
boost troops? combat effectiveness. The supporting research looked at the
effectiveness of the drug Modafinil, which has applications in cognitive
enhancement; and at transcranial magnetic stimulation, a type of brain
stimulation, while also contending that the ?great potential? of CRISPR-
Cas as a ?military deterrence technology in which China should ?grasp the
initiative? in development.
AI + Biotech
The intersection of biotechnology and artificial intelligence promises
unique synergies. The vastness of the human genome ? among the biggest of
big data ? all but requires AI and machine learning to point the way for
CRISPR-related advances in therapeutics or enhancement.
In 2016, the potential strategic value of genetic information led the
Chinese government to launch the National Genebank (?????), which intends
to become the world?s largest repository of such data. It aims to ?develop
and utilize China?s valuable genetic resources, safeguard national
security in bioinformatics (?????), and enhance China?s capability to
seize the strategic commanding heights? in the domain of biotechnology.
The effort is administered by BGI, formerly known as Beijing Genomics
Inc., which is Beijing?s de facto national champion in the field. BGI has
established an edge in cheap gene sequencing, concentrating on amassing
massive amounts of data from a diverse array of sources. The company has a
global presence, including laboratories in California and Australia.
U.S. policymakers have been concerned, if not troubled, by the company?s
access to the genetic information of Americans. BGI has been pursuing a
range of partnerships, including with the University of California and
with the Children?s Hospital of Philadelphia on human genome sequencing.
BGI?s research and partnerships in Xinjiang also raise questions about its
linkage to human rights abuses, including the forced collection of genetic
information from Uighurs in Xinjiang.
There also appear to be links between BGI?s research and military research
activities, particularly with the PLA?s National University of Defense
Technology. BGI?s bioinformatics research has used Tianhe supercomputers
to process genetic information for biomedical applications, while BGI and
NUDT researchers have collaborated on several publications, including the
design of tools for the use of CRISPR.
Biotech?s Expansive Frontier
It will be increasingly important to keep tabs on the Chinese military?s
interest in biology as an emerging domain of warfare, guided by
strategists who talk about potential ?genetic weapons? and the possibility
of a ?bloodless victory.? Although the use of CRISPR to edit genes remains
novel and nascent, these tools and techniques are rapidly advancing, and
what is within the realm of the possible for military applications may
continue to shift as well. In the process, the lack of transparency and
uncertainty of ethical considerations in China?s research initiatives
raise the risks of technological surprise.
caliber.
*snicker*
--
"To explain the unknown by the known is a logical procedure; to explain
the known by the unknown is a form of theological lunacy." ~David Brooks
"I get fooled all the time by the constant hosiery parade
in here." ~Checkmate
"To explain the unknown by the known is a logical procedure; to explain
the known by the unknown is a form of theological lunacy." ~David Brooks
"I get fooled all the time by the constant hosiery parade
in here." ~Checkmate