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Ethics of University Research, Biotechnology and Potential Military Spin-off

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Abstract

The paper provides a briefintroduction to the biotechnology revolutionand its impact upon biological researchrelevant to military uses. It describes thestatus of biological weapons today, and currentefforts to strengthen the Biological WeaponsConvention with a legally binding complianceprotocol. Specific modifications ofmicro-organisms that may be of military use arediscussed. Three examples of dual-use researchactivities are then used to highlight issuesand dilemmas in ethical decision making.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Darmstadt University of Technology, Schnittspahnstr, 10 D-64287, Darmstadt, Germany

    Kathryn Nixdorff

  2. Department of Theology and Social Ethics, Darmstadt University of Technology, Schlossgartenstr. 65, D-64289, Darmstadt, Germany

    Wolfgang Bender

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  1. Kathryn Nixdorff
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  2. Wolfgang Bender
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Nixdorff, K., Bender, W. Ethics of University Research, Biotechnology and Potential Military Spin-off. Minerva 40, 15–35 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015045127363

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015045127363

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