The New Scourge

Dateline: 02/19/98

It was supposed to be simple. Take an organism; find out what makes it tick; produce a vaccine; inoculate everyone -- you get the picture. This is the sequence of events that surrounded the original development of a vaccine for anthrax, a disease that normally affects animals, particularly cattle and sheep. Anthrax can cause serious illness and even death in humans if inhaled in large quantities. It has been used as a biological weapon by various governments and regimes.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) formally licensed a vaccine for anthrax in the 1970's. It is primarily used by workers who come in contact with livestock, particularly farm workers and veterinarians. So what's the problem if the vaccine is out, you ask? Genetic engineering.

Russian scientists have announced a new strain of anthrax produced in the laboratory. Through genetic engineering techniques, the Russian strain contains two non-anthrax genes. These new genes may affect how anthrax infects livestock and humans. If so, the current vaccine will be rendered useless. Anthrax relies on a protein to cause damage to white blood cells in the body. The current vaccine disrupts this process. If the non-anthrax genes alter this mechanism, people who have been vaccinated may be at risk.

American scientists have been attempting to procure samples of the new form of anthrax to determine how it infects. This information would prove particularly valuable in determining whether or not a new or altered form of a vaccine should be developed.

Many of our recent articles have discussed both the biological--the hows and whys of cloning, for example-- and the ethical implications. In a sense, we are entering an era where these implications will be even more important than in the past. The question is not only can we, but also should we?

Should we be producing organisms that can invalidate years of vaccine research? What about "genetic warfare?" Should countries pursue organismal development? Let your voice be heard! Stop by the Biology Forum and share your opinion.

For additional information see:

• Gene-Engineered Anthrax: Is It a Weapon? - (New York Times)