Editing Human genetic enhancement (section)

=== Military ===
In December 2020, then-[[Director of National Intelligence]] [[John Ratcliffe (American politician)|John Ratcliffe]] said in an editorial for [[The Wall Street Journal]] that US intelligence shows China had conducted human testing on People's Liberation Army soldiers with the aim of creating "biologically enhanced" soldiers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ratcliffe |first=John |date=2020-12-03 |title=China Is National Security Threat No. 1 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-is-national-security-threat-no-1-11607019599 |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gabbatt |first=Adam |date=2020-12-04 |title=China conducting biological tests to create super soldiers, US spy chief says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/04/china-super-soldiers-biologically-enhanced-john-ratcliffe |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In 2022, the People's Liberation Army Academy of Military Sciences reported a notable experiment where military scientists inserted a [[gene]] from the [[tardigrade]] into human [[embryonic stem cell]]s. This experiment aimed to explore the potential enhancement of soldiers' resistance to acute [[radiation syndrome]], thereby increasing their ability to survive nuclear fallout. This development reflects the intersection of genetic engineering and [[military]] research, with a focus on bioenhancement for military personnel.
<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Karl JP, Margolis LM, Fallowfield JL, Child RB, Martin NM, McClung JP |title=Military nutrition research: Contemporary issues, state of the science and future directions |journal=Eur J Sport Sci |volume=22 |issue=1 |pages=87–98 |date=January 2022 |pmid=33980120 |doi=10.1080/17461391.2021.1930192 }}</ref>

[[Cas9|CRISPR/Cas9]] technologies have garnered attention for their potential applications in military contexts. Various projects are underway, including those focused on protecting soldiers from specific challenges. For instance, researchers are exploring the use of CRISPR/Cas9 to provide protection from [[frostbite]], reduce stress levels, alleviate [[sleep deprivation]], and enhance strength and endurance. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency ([[DARPA]]) is actively involved in researching and developing these technologies. One of their projects aims to engineer [[human cells]] to function as nutrient factories, potentially optimizing soldiers' performance and resilience in challenging environments.
<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Pang C, Chen ZD, Wei B, Xu WT, Xi HQ |title=Military training-related abdominal injuries and diseases: Common types, prevention and treatment |journal=Chin J Traumatol |volume=25 |issue=4 |pages=187–192 |date=July 2022 |pmid=35331607 |pmc=9252930 |doi=10.1016/j.cjtee.2022.03.002 }}</ref>

Additionally, military researchers are conducting animal trials to explore the prophylactic treatment for long-term protection against chemical weapons of mass destruction. This involves using non-pathogenic AAV8 vectors to deliver a candidate catalytic bioscavenger, PON1-IF11, into the [[bloodstream]] of [[mice]]. These initiatives underscore the broader exploration of [[Genetic engineering|genetic]] and molecular interventions to enhance military capabilities and protect personnel from various threats.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Ogden HB, Rawcliffe AJ, Delves SK, Roberts A |title=Are young military personnel at a disproportional risk of heat illness? |journal=BMJ Mil Health |volume=169 |issue=6 |pages=559–564 |date=November 2023 |pmid=35241622 |pmc=10715519 |doi=10.1136/bmjmilitary-2021-002053 }}</ref>

In the realm of bioenhancement, concerns have been raised about the use of dietary supplements and other [[biomedical]] enhancements by military personnel. A significant portion of American special operations forces reportedly use dietary supplements to enhance performance, but the extent of the use of other bioenhancement methods, such as steroids, human growth hormone, and erythropoietin, remains unclear. The lack of completed safety and efficacy testing for these bioenhancements raises ethical and regulatory questions. This concern is not new, as issues surrounding the off-label use of products like [[pyridostigmine bromide]] and botulinum toxoid vaccine during the [[Gulf War]], as well as the DoD's Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program in 1998, have prompted discussions about the need for thorough [[Food and Drug Administration|FDA approval]] for specific military applications.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Hellwig LD, Krokosky A, Vargason A, Turner C |title=Genetic Counseling Considerations for Military Beneficiaries |journal=Mil Med |volume=187 |issue=Suppl 1 |pages=36–39 |date=December 2021 |pmid=34967403 |pmc=8717321 |doi=10.1093/milmed/usab007 }}</ref>

The intersection of [[genetic engineering]], [[Cas9|CRISPR/Cas9]] technologies, and military research introduces complex ethical considerations regarding the potential augmentation of human capabilities for military purposes. Striking a balance between scientific advancements, ethical standards, and regulatory oversight over classified projects remain crucial as these technologies continue to evolve.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Merrigan JJ, Stone JD, Thompson AG, Hornsby WG, Hagen JA |title=Monitoring Neuromuscular Performance in Military Personnel |journal=Int J Environ Res Public Health |volume=17 |issue=23 |pages=9147 |date=December 2020 |pmid=33297554 |pmc=7730580 |doi=10.3390/ijerph17239147 |doi-access=free }}</ref>