For those of you who remain skeptical of the potential hazards of genetically modified foods—even in the wake of the recent ‘anti-organic’ media-blitz prompted by a Stanford University study—the US Military is quietly unveiling the next frontier in genetic modification.
On Aug. 13, 2012 the Daily Mail ran an article titled, “Army of the future: Soldiers will be able to run at Olympic speed and won’t need food or sleep with gene technology.” The article gives some indication of the work currently being carried out by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) scientists. For those of you who are out of the loop, DARPA is the American Military’s research arm whose responsibility is to maintain American technological superiority on the battlefield. Some of DARPA’s past accomplishments include radar evading ‘stealth’ technology and many of the early internetwork protocols which became the precursors to the modern internet.
As the article suggests, much of DARPA’s current research is focused on improving soldiers themselves. If the Pentagon has its way, soldiers of the future will be genetically modified trans-humans capable of superhuman feats. These include: the ability to run faster than any human, super-strength beyond what any human is capable of, going without food or sleep for days by living off of efficiently used fat stores, and even the regeneration of lost limbs. DARPA refuses to disclose what stage of development any of this research is in, as well as whether or not human-animal hybrids currently exist.
Given that the use of stem cells and legalized abortions are still a major source of debate and controversy, it is safe to say that the North-American public is not ready to hear about these types of technologies. Perhaps this is why the mainstream media has been silent on the issue. Despite coverage on RT, PressTV, Al Jazeera, as well as a plethora of mainstream blogs including wired.com/, North American broadcast media have remained totally silent.
These technologies will undoubtedly create social and economic benefits beyond just warfare. If even a small part of these technologies actually manifest, they have the potential to drive a new wave of economic innovation and growth. However, it is difficult to not remain highly skeptical of allowing this kind of technology to remain in the hands of those responsible for the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, and the deception and deceit associated with each. National security has been the justification for much in the last 11 years, but it seems a stretch to say that the creation of trans-human super-soldiers is a necessary part of America’s national security strategy.
If you are like me and remain skeptical of genetic modification (food or otherwise), and are especially skeptical of the US military’s control over it, there is much to be done. Although I do not find myself in agreement with Kentucky Senator Rand Paul on many issues, prior to his primetime speech at the Republican National Convention Paul stated that he would use his time to urge republicans who have supported the ‘audit the Fed’ campaign to now turn their attention to auditing the Pentagon. For one reason or another, this subject was left out of the speech entirely. Nevertheless auditing the Pentagon, much like auditing the fed, appears to be an issue that could gain bi-partisan support.
Unfortunately the Pentagon is not the only institution to be worried about. This summer the Russian Duma voted overwhelmingly in favour of the establishment of a multi-billion dollar Future Research Fund (FPI)—their DARPA equivalent. To be clear the FPI has not made any public announcement of human genetic modification research. Nevertheless, in the context of this this new arms-race, it is difficult to imagine that stopping the Pentagon will stop the development of this technology.
In my humble opinion, what this issue really needs is publicity and the democratic discourse that follows it. As I have mentioned, the mainstream media have been holding the mute button on this issue. I encourage anyone who is reading this to do their own research, find out for yourselves exactly what DARPA and others are involved in (there is plenty that I have left out), and talk to everyone you know about it. It is my hope that this article generates fruitful discussion among the Osgoode community and beyond. Finally, take advantage of the Obiter’s slick new online layout which makes liking, Tweeting and sharing a lot easier. As someone who doesn’t use Facebook, Twitter (or even a computer in class) I feel a little odd saying this, but it might be an effective way to spread the word beyond the Osgoode community.
What is over the next horizon in genetic modification has both enormous potential and enormous risk. So, let’s talk about this stuff before Pandora’s box is a flat piece of cardboard with military equipment rolling over it.