Parachuting Pigs, Toxic Tipple and Political Posturing

Recent events in Georgia have highlighted a critical aspect of the dual-use dilemma often forgotten by scientists and researchers busily applying their trade – It is not just the technology and scientific discoveries that may be corrupted and utilised for nefarious purposes, but rather, it is the perception of the research itself which can easily be exploited for political gain.

Gennady Onishchenko, Russia’s Chief Medical Officer and head of ‘RosPotrebNadzor’ the Russian consumer protection agency claimed late last month that a U.S funded bio-lab in Georgia (the country not the US State) posed, “a direct threat” to Russia and a “Direct violation of the BWC”.  This statement was further echoed by Vyacheslav Tetekin, a member of the Dumas Committee on Defence, who suggested that there is a “perception that biological weapons are beginning to be used by the Americans more and more widely. I see this situation from the point of view of national security”.  Both officials firmly accuse the Georgian authorities of kowtowing to their U.S puppet masters.

The ‘Richard G Lugar Center for Public Health Research’ in Tbilisi, which is at the centre of this spat, saw a U.S investment of US$150 million into the state of the art lab.  Of course Georgian officials were quick to point out the absurdity of the comments and further highlighted the point that Russian personnel had already inspected the facilities and, in fact, any expert or specialist was welcome to do the same.  Whilst the likelihood of such a facility being used for a covert biological weapons programme seems remote, it is crucial to note that the spectre of dual-use potential still looms large in the minds of many.

Onishchenko had, earlier this year, claimed that Georgia deliberately introduced African Swine Fever (ASF) to Russia by parachuting in a regiment of infected pigs.  This claim seems to compliment his earlier fears that food and wine may be poisoned by the Georgians, presumably as some kind of retribution for the 2008 war.  It also seems to have the added bonus of being yet another opportunity to lash out at the Americans and their allies to fostering further animosity and ambiguity.

The reality is that the researchers at this facility are little more than a giant political football, to be kicked around by competing sides on the field of international politics.  The Cold War may be officially over, but a competitive legacy undoubtedly still remains (albeit with a few Georgian players substituted into the U.S team).  For this football match, a goal is not simply scored by conducting the best research but instead it’s the media conferences and press coverage where the game is won and lost (perhaps not a match for Wayne Rooney then). 

The script between the U.S and Russia is by now almost farcical, both sides repeating claims that would make a long running West-End show like the ‘Mousetrap’ look fresh.  The U.S continues to highlight the opacity surrounding the Russian Biodefense programme, compliance issues and the inheritance of Soviet activities. In retort the Russians ask for evidence and then point to dubious dual-use activities and the U.S refusal to create verification mechanisms for the BWC.  Whilst, for the rest of us, it seems that the science and real threats are usually cast aside for yet another round of political point scoring.  These competing narratives fail to enhance security for any nation, instead they continue to fuel a cycle of anxiety that should have long since passed.

For those conducting the actual research it is worth remembering that problems with dual-use technologies are not confined to the laboratory, indeed perception and PR can be just as dangerous a weapon as any pathogen. Rhetoric and political stoushes serve only to fuel the security dilemmas of old and detract from key biotech breakthroughs.  The continued lack of verification protocols in the BWC coupled with the often opaque (and in the case of Russia, some might argue covert) nature of biodefense research will continue to pose a significant threat to international security. 

And whilst parachuting pigs and poisoned wine from Georgia may seem an absurd threat to some, at least Onishchenko occasionally gives good advice that we can all agree on: “Don’t swallow donuts in the supine position under the TV”.