800
8 Modern Weapons: Possibilities and Limitations
suppress or neutralize human thought, brainwave functions, perception, interpretation, and behaviors to the extent that the target of such weaponry is either
temporarily or permanently disabled, mentally compromised, or unable to function
normally.” [44]
This can be achieved by multiple methods, including biochemical means,
directional energy weapons, and even special software.
8.6.5 Biochemical Neuroweapons
Most mentions of neuron weapons in publicly available information sources are
currently related to potential use of biochemical means as incapacitants and to have
a potentially different effect on the behavior of the opponent.
A frequently cited practical case among specialists is the use of chemical fentanyl
by the FSB during the siege of the theater taken by terrorists in Moscow in October
2002. Even though chemical agents were designed only to put terrorists to sleep, they
also caused death of 128 out of more than 800 hostages due to delayed and incorrect
organization of medical help [45].
It should be noted separately that the use of fentanyl in this case was not internationally condemned as a fact of violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention,
which may suggest that all state governments of large countries are unofficially
considering the use of biological incapacitants as legal. It is possible that several
neuron pharmacological products that can have relatively predictable effects on the
behavior are currently being developed.
One biochemical agent that seems to have caught the interest of the military is
the neurohormone oxytocin, which is naturally produced by the brain and stimulates
love or trust. Oxytocin could be used for manipulating adversaries into (temporarily)
trusting us and thereby reduces the occurrence of resistance.
There are multiple theoretically possible “brain-targeted bioweapons” that could
alter behavior of a person (not necessarily a soldier). Microbiologists have recently
discovered mind-controlling parasites that can manipulate the behavior of their hosts
according to their needs by switching genes on or off [46]. Since human behavior is
at least partially influenced by their genetics, non-lethal behavior-modifying genetic
bioweapons could thus be, in principle, possible.
8.6.6 Information-/Software-Based Neuroweapons
Neural weapons are not required to be physical in nature–certain types of such
weapons can simply consist of specific information designed exclusively to manipulate human behavior, or special software that hacks neural devices or chips implanted
in a living creature.
8 Modern Weapons: Possibilities and Limitations
suppress or neutralize human thought, brainwave functions, perception, interpretation, and behaviors to the extent that the target of such weaponry is either
temporarily or permanently disabled, mentally compromised, or unable to function
normally.” [44]
This can be achieved by multiple methods, including biochemical means,
directional energy weapons, and even special software.
8.6.5 Biochemical Neuroweapons
Most mentions of neuron weapons in publicly available information sources are
currently related to potential use of biochemical means as incapacitants and to have
a potentially different effect on the behavior of the opponent.
A frequently cited practical case among specialists is the use of chemical fentanyl
by the FSB during the siege of the theater taken by terrorists in Moscow in October
2002. Even though chemical agents were designed only to put terrorists to sleep, they
also caused death of 128 out of more than 800 hostages due to delayed and incorrect
organization of medical help [45].
It should be noted separately that the use of fentanyl in this case was not internationally condemned as a fact of violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention,
which may suggest that all state governments of large countries are unofficially
considering the use of biological incapacitants as legal. It is possible that several
neuron pharmacological products that can have relatively predictable effects on the
behavior are currently being developed.
One biochemical agent that seems to have caught the interest of the military is
the neurohormone oxytocin, which is naturally produced by the brain and stimulates
love or trust. Oxytocin could be used for manipulating adversaries into (temporarily)
trusting us and thereby reduces the occurrence of resistance.
There are multiple theoretically possible “brain-targeted bioweapons” that could
alter behavior of a person (not necessarily a soldier). Microbiologists have recently
discovered mind-controlling parasites that can manipulate the behavior of their hosts
according to their needs by switching genes on or off [46]. Since human behavior is
at least partially influenced by their genetics, non-lethal behavior-modifying genetic
bioweapons could thus be, in principle, possible.
8.6.6 Information-/Software-Based Neuroweapons
Neural weapons are not required to be physical in nature–certain types of such
weapons can simply consist of specific information designed exclusively to manipulate human behavior, or special software that hacks neural devices or chips implanted
in a living creature.