ZKEA

Biological Terrorism : Emerging Diseases : Biological Warfare

South Africa, Project Coast

Anthrax was a key focus in Project Coast, genetically modified to make it incurable by any conventional vaccine. The arsenal also included plague, salmonella and botulism, as well as antidotes for many of the diseases. The weapons were usually modified and packaged in a way that avoided traditional detection mechanisms. The original intent was that this stealth would aid in assassination efforts against opponents of the government, particularly in the black community.. However, this stealth technology also makes these weapons ideal for more global terrorism. For this reason this technology probably commands a particularly high price in the global black market.

Perhaps even more threatening were the pathogenic characteristics added to common human bacteria. For example, Project Coast isolated a toxin-producing gene from Clostridium perfringens. C perfringens causes a variety of fatal conditions including gas gangrene, a severe form of gangrene which attacks living tissue. Technicians spliced this gene into Escherichia coli, an intestinal bacterium found in every human being. Should this modified bacteria ever escape and establish itself in human populations, the result could be a universal epidemic of gangrene.

It's believed that Project Coast made similar modifications on other common human bacteria. The status (and whereabouts) of these agents is now unknown. Biodefense experts have long worried about the implications of such genetic modification for biological warfare and terrorism. In Project Coast their worst nightmares are realized: genetic modifications executed in an expert fashion, packaged and weaponized, and then "disappeared" into the global marketplace.

Also unknown is the location and disposition of many of Project Coast's scientists. A few are now believed to be working overseas in clandestine efforts. And there have been dark rumors of private transactions, various individuals coming to South Africa in order to buy weaponized agents. The public record does not state whether any of these transactions has yet been completed.

Amazingly, one of these private transactions involved the United States government. In 2002 Daan Goosen, a former Project Coast researcher, offered to sell to the United States government some biological weapons. As a measure of his good faith and mark of his credentials, he sent to the American FBI a sample of these weapons. Ironically, he chose the genetically-modified Escherichia Coli as his calling card. Freeze-dried and packaged inside a tube of toothpaste, he mailed the parcel to a CIA officer who couriered the microbes the rest of the way.

The Americans confirmed the potency of Dr. Goosen's sample. However they were more appalled than interested in making a buy. Therefore the deal was never done.

No matter. There are surely others in the world who will be interested in acquiring this pathogen, or others like it. Biological weapons are extremely valuable, easily hidden and easily transported. There are eager sellers and eager buyers. The situation is analogous to the global illegal drug trade. History teaches that, in such situations, a marketplace always develops and is virtually impossible to control.

Link: Report On South African Project Coast - Germ Warfare
Link: US Doctor Helped South African Bioweapon Development
Link: Summary Of South African Biological And Chemical Efforts
Link: Bitter South African Germ Scientists Being Recruited By Rogue Nations
Link: South African Chemical and Biological Programs: An Overview