Could Altering DNA In Bacteria Pose A Terrorist Threat?

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 2, 2007 in DNA and Disease, Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms

Bioterrorism is not just the stuff of science fiction. Scientists have altered the DNA of the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes that causes listeriosis, a form of food poisoning. The bioengineered form of the bacteria can now infect mice, which is normally immune to listeriosis. The change in bacterial DNA results in a different surface protein which enables it to “dock” with a receptor in the mouse gut and sicken the mice. These findings were published in the journal Cell much to some scientists’ dismay. They say that the ability to change the host range of an infectious organism could be used for terrorism.

Bioterrorism Agents or Diseases are divided into three categories by the CDC:

Category A – high priority

Easy to disseminate or transmit, result in high mortality, cause public panic and social disruption. Includes anthrax, botulism, plague, and smallpox.
Category B – second highest priority

Moderately easy to disseminate, result in moderate morbidity and low mortality. Includes brucellosis and food safety threats, e.g. salmonella, E. Coli O157:H7.
Category C – third highest priority include emerging pathogens that could be engineered for mass dissemination in the future. Includes emerging infectious diseases such as hantavirus.

If the study had involved a mouse pathogen re-engineered to infect humans, then it might have qualified for category C. As it is, there’s not much to be worried about…yet.

For more information, visit MedlinePlus Biodefense and Bioterrorism.

Tags: bioterrorism, listeria, listeriosis, food poisoning, genetics, genes, dna, bacteria, genome, genomics