Editorials and Commentaries

Germ line genome editing and the emerging struggle for supremacy in the Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) balance of power

Authors:

David James Heslop
Email David James Heslop
Chandini Raina MacIntyre

David James Heslop, University of New South Wales, Australia
ORCID
FAFOEM FRACGP MBBS PhD MPH BSc (Adv) Hons 1

I am an Associate Professor at the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at UNSW, and retains significant military responsibilities as Senior Medical Adviser for CBRNE to Special Operations Headquarters Australia and to Australian Defence Force (ADF) joint senior leadership. I am a practicing vocationally registered General Practitioner, a Fellow of Occupational and Environmental Medicine with RACP, and a fellowship candidate for the Academy of Wilderness Medicine.

My doctoral research focussed on the central autonomic anatomy and integrative neurophysiology relating to the cardiovascular response to noxious inescapable physiological stimuli such as severe haemorrhage and visceral pain. Utilising my research background and subsequent clinical training, through the ADF I have been fortunate to have extensively deployed into a variety of complex and austere combat environments, and have gone on to undertake advanced training in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) Medicine and Senior Medical Officer training. Consequently I was appointed as Senior Medical Officer for Special Operations Command for 2014, and was the Officer Commanding and Senior Medical Officer to the ADF CBRNE medical incident response element at Special Operations Engineer Regiment from 2012-2015.

I have extensive experience in the conception, design, planning, delivery and operations of health support systems and capability in remote and austere contexts; incorporating the management of exotic or novel hazards and risks. Extensive actual experience in planning for and management of major disasters, mass casualty and multiple casualty situations. I also have extensive overseas and domestic operational experience in command, personnel management, force protection, health protection systems, resilient systems design and test and evaluation. Direct responsibility and experience with leading deployable expeditionary medical support.

I am regularly consulted and participate in the development and review of national and international clinical and operational CBRNE policy and doctrine. I am additionally a peer reviewer for the journals Military Medicine (AMSUS) and Journal and Military and Veterans Health (AMMA). I also continue to conduct CBRNE medical, and general medical education and ADF GP Registar training within my military capacity, along with civilian instruction of the Major Incident Medical Management System (MIMMS) framework with MIMMS Australia.

My interests lie in health and medical systems innovation and research. I retain linkages with key national civilian and military education, research and development organisations and retain an active involvement in a wide variety of projects and initiatives supporting national public health preparedness goals. My current research effort and interests touch on complexity science, agent based and deterministic modelling, emergent complex adaptive systems phenomena, test and evaluation of systems, policy research, epidemic modelling, exotic and emerging infections, disaster preparedness and response, organisational resilience in health care, development of robust socio-technical systems in health care, and the modelling, simulation and investigation of public health interventions and systems.
Chandini Raina MacIntyre, UNSW Sydney, Australia

Abstract

The promise of genetic engineering to reduce the burden of disease on the human population, alleviate suffering and provide new avenues for mastering disease has recently been overshadowed by the announcement by He Jiankui of successful germ line modification of two human embryos, and their subsequent successful birth. The use of gene editing technologies enabled by CRISPR-Cas9 and related systems to successfully modify the germ line of humans has now been proven. The ramifications of this event are significant for both medicine but also in diverse other areas of human society. Such technologies can now be considered as a possible route to achieve military, economic and social advantage compared to rivals. In this article the possible emergence of a genetic warfare escalation is highlighted, and some simple avenues for military use of gene editing to enhance and augment friendly forces, or target enemy forces, are identified. We suggest that He’s work, conducted clandestinely and apparently outside of regulatory frameworks, possibly represents the Trinity Test of genetic warfare, and momentum driving an emerging genetic warfare arms race may be beginning to gather.

Keywords:

Genome editing Ethics Risk Military Weapon

Year: 2019
Volume: 1
DOI: 10.31646/gbio.18

Submitted on 15 Dec 2018
Published on 14 Feb 2019