FTR-282 A Shot in the Dark -
Designer Genes and the AIDS Vaccine (One 30-minute segment) (Sources are noted in parentheses.)
(Recorded on
Speculative in nature, this program examines aspects of medical
research, genetic engineering and their application to the discipline of
biological warfare development. (For more on this subject see also: RFA-16, FTR #'s 4, 16, 17, 19, 24, 25, 35,
55, 56, 62, 63, 76, 87, 89, 132, 144, 198, 199, 212, 220, 225, 228, 269.)
1.
The program begins with discussion of a projection by British medical
experts. They forecast that genetic engineering will permit the development of
"designer" biological weapons that would take advantage of genetic
differences between various ethnic groups in order to kill certain specific,
targeted groups, while leaving others unscathed. ("No Longer Science
Fiction! Racially-Targeted Weapons May Become Reality Soon;" Reuters;
2.
In the context of the impending reality of ethnically-targeted,
genetically engineered biological weapons, one should consider the potential
implications of a new drug that has been designed specifically for African-Americans.
("FDA Paves the Way for First ‘Ethnic’ Drug" by Victoria Griffith; Financial Times;
3.
This drug is ostensibly designed to prevent heart failure. (Idem.)
4.
This broadcast poses an implicit question. “Might (or has) this technology been applied in
such a way that this (or another) drug might cause heart failure, or some other debilitating or fatal illness?”
(RFA#32 and Miscellaneous Archive Show M-9 examine substantive allegations that
contingency plans to eliminate African-Americans may be a political reality.
One should also examine programs involving the "science" of eugenics.
See also: Miscellaneous Archive Shows
M-12 and M-60, as well as FTR #'s 32a, 32b, 117 and 124, 140, 141.)
5.
The British magazine New
Scientist reported that Australian gene engineers had converted a mousepox
virus into a deadly killer. ("Killer Virus: An Engineered Mouse Virus
Leaves Us One Step away from the Ultimate Bioweapon;" New Scientist;
6.
The mousepox virus is closely related to the human smallpox virus, and
the insertion of the molecule interleukin 4 (IL-4) made the rodent version much
deadlier. (Idem.)
7.
Specifically, the virus destroyed the immune systems of the infected
mice, and fit proved resistant to a vaccine that would normally protect mice
from infection. (Idem.)
8.
Scientists are afraid that, if IL-4 were added to the human smallpox
virus, it could become much deadlier. (Idem.)
9.
Next, the broadcast sets forth a new, experimental AIDS vaccine that
utilizes a modified smallpox virus. ("AIDS Vaccine Shows Promise in Monkey
Experiments" by Paul Recer [Associated Press]; San Francisco Chronicle;
10.
In light of the possibility of genetically altering the smallpox virus
to increase its lethality, as well as the indications that AIDS was distributed
through an experimental hepatitis B vaccine, the use of an altered smallpox
vaccine in an AIDS vaccine should raise eyebrows. (The probability that AIDS
stemmed from the application of genetic engineering to biological warfare is
discussed in numerous programs noted above.)
11.
It should be noted that this country is particularly vulnerable to an
outbreak of smallpox, due to the relative scarcity of the vaccine. ("The
Nightmare of Bioterrorism" by Laurie Garrett; Foreign Affairs; January/February 2001; p. 77.)
12.
In addition, the existing vaccine has deteriorated, rendering the
13.
Next, the program excerpts FTR#212.
Highlighting the manner in which the SV40 virus causes cancer, the program
reviews the role of a protein called large T-antigen in neutralizing the P53
gene. ("The Virus and the Vaccine" by Debby Bookchin and Jim
Schumacher; The Atlantic Monthly;
February/2000; accessed at www.theatlantic.com.)
14.
The p53 gene prevents genetic irregularities (and resulting cancers) by
killing cells that have divided imperfectly. (Idem.)
15.
The failure of this gene figures in a large percentage of cancers.
(Idem.) (The landmark work of Ed Haslam has highlighted the role of SV40 in
causing cancer. SV40 was a contaminant in the polio vaccine of the 1950’s.
There are numerous broadcasts with, or about, the work of Haslam available from
Spitfire. Ed is the author of Mary, Ferrie and the Monkey Virus: The Story
of an Underground Medical Laboratory. Copyright, 1995 by Wordsworth Press.)
16.
The adenovirus (that causes the common cold) also deactivates the p53
gene. ("A Thank You to the Volunteers Who Step Up for Clinical
Trials" by Tom Abate; San Francisco
Chronicle;
17.
The adenovirus is being explored as a vehicle for "gene
therapy," (Idem.) This technique entails the use a virus with altered DNA
to inject nucleic acid into damaged cells for therapeutic purposes.
18.
Merck (the company that made the experimental AIDS vaccine) is now
testing an AIDS vaccine that uses a modified adenovirus. (“Merck Starts Human
Trials of AIDS Vaccine” by Mark Schoops; Wall
Street Journal;