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Risks of Using Biological Agents in Drug Eradication   A briefing paper with emphasis on human health.
Sunshine Project Backgrounder Series
Number 4, February 2001

A 16 page briefing paper with important new information on biological  agents to eradicate crops ("Agent Green").  The paper includes new  material on the human health risks of Fusarium (targeted at cannabis  and coca) and Pleopsora (targeted at opium poppy).  The report  details dangers posed by fusariosis, mycotoxins, aerosolized spores,  and skin infections caused by fungi as well as impacts on traditional  medicine and farming communities.  It also squarely confronts US and  UN Drug Control Program arguments that Pleospora and Fusarium only  pose human health dangers to a handful of patients in rich countries.

The report provides new information on US and UNDCP research,  particularly on Pleospora, the fungus being studied in the US and  Uzbekistan.  When researchers discovered that the fungus was not  entirely host specific, they coldly rationalized that damage to  another species was acceptable, because the other plant is "a weed  throughout Europe" ... despite the fact that the fungus is destined  for application on other continents.  When UNDCP's own researchers  complained of respiratory difficulties apparently due to exposure to  Pleospora, remarkably, the United Nations drug agency did not react  with concern for the thousands of farmers, indigenous people, and  their families who also might be exposed.  Instead, safety equipment  was purchased for scientists and work is proceeding.  Final testing  is due to be complete this year.

The report notes the broad international opposition to the use of  biological agents in crop eradication and argues that the disregard  for human health demonstrated by drug warriors is another important  reason why the international community must take urgent action to  stop these biological weapons from being used.  The report concludes  with recommendations for action by the World Health Organization,  Convention on Biological Diversity, and Biological and Toxin Weapons  Convention to decisively and permanently remove biological agents  from the drug warriors' arsenal.

The report concludes that recent successes in averting development of  anti-coca agents in South America offers no protection globally and  should not be confused with the establishment of a clear  international prohibition.  If governments fail to act, it is only a  matter of time before the few but powerful proponents of biological  agents succeed in pressuring countries to escalate the Drug War with  Agent Green, starting the world down a slippery and dangerous slope  of biological weapons proliferation.

Available online at our website and as a PDF.  Visit  http://www.sunshine-project.org to view and download a copy.   
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