Bioterrorism is increasingly seen as a legitimate public health concern that calls for cooperation with police and military officials. Genetic engineering (including gene transfer experiments, use of viruses to modify cell function, cloning, and germline genetic alterations) on the other hand is generally viewed as a beneficient medical activity. From a public health perspective, these two projects have many more similarities than differences, and international bans and regulatory structures that are developing to prevent bioterrorism have direct applicability to genetic engineering as well. Using a human rights and health perspective, I will compare these two projects in terms of potential disaster to populations and means to prevent that disaster, and suggest ways in which legal tools can be used to reduce the risks to the human species. See www.glphr.org
Learning Objectives: define genetic engineering contrast bioterrorism and genetic engineering explain international treaty mechanism
Keywords: Bioterrorism, Genetics
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.