Advances in Bio-weaponry

kjh1 writes "Technology Review is running an eye-opening article on how biotechnology has advanced to the point where producing bio-weapons that were once only possible with the backing of governments with enormous resources is now possible with equipment purchased off eBay. You can now purchase a mini-lab of equipment for less than $10,000. The writer also interviewed a former Soviet bioweaponeer, Serguei Popov, who worked at the Biopreparat, the Soviet agency that secretly developed biological weapons. Popov has since moved to the US and provided a great deal of information on the types of weapons the Soviets were developing."

Comments

at last

[Davey McDave]

A WMD that's marketed specifically for evil geniuses that are on a tight budget. The days of cheap minion labour are behind us, guys, gotta look after the pennies.

Re:at last

[Dr. Eggman]

But now what hordes will I throw at the hero to delay him until I reach my escape pod when my Ultimate Bio-weapon ultimatly fails?

Ten grand?

[MyLongNickName]

Heck for $2.50, I can go to Taco Bell and be a WMD the rest of the day.

Re:Ten grand?

[iamdrscience]

Taco Bell = Weapon of Ass Destruction.

Re:Ten grand?

[tinkertim]

>>

This vision of subtle bioweapons that modified behavior by targeting the nervous system -- inducing effects like temporary schizophrenia, memory loss, heightened aggression, immobilizing depression, or fear -- was irresistibly attractive to Biopreparat's senior military scientists.

So how's that different from rush hour traffic in or around the Washington DC I-495 beltway loop? Seems our boys at NSA haven't got containment down just right yet.

National Raygun Association

[Dr. Eggman]

And that's why I don't go anywhere without my mutated anthrax

...for Duck hunting!

My girlfriend just peeked over my shoulder...

[Dante Shamest]

GF: Why are they writing about the Soviets in the past tense?
Me: Er, because they're in the past?
GF: Huh?
Me: Um, the Soviet Union collapsed more than a decade ago. Didn't you know that?
GF: Get out of here! I thought China was still around.
Me: Honey, the Soviet Union is modern day Russia. Not China.
GF: What? I thought Soviets were commies, and the Chinese are commies.
Me: Yes, but the Soviets were Russians.
GF: The Russians are Chinese?
Me: No! NO! NOO!
GF: Jesus. You don't have to yell! I was just asking!
Me: Alright, alright, I'm sorry.
GF: So how do the Nazis fit into all this?
Me: NAZIS!? Are you pulling my leg?
GF: I'm not!
Me: ...then I'm leaving you.
GF: ...

You can't make this shit up I tell you.

Re:My girlfriend just peeked over my shoulder...

[pjt33]

You can't make this shit up I tell you.

You're posting on Slashdot on Sunday afternoon / evening claiming to have a girlfriend, and you say you're not making it up?

It's pretty easy now.

[Anonymous Coward]

Even an amateur can assimilate an entire army for pennies. Since the collapse of the Star Trek franchise, Borg nanoprobes are being dumped for ridiculously low prices on eBay.

There are cheaper ways

[jpardey]

You can buy a lot of ex-junkyard dogs for less than $10,000.

E-bay links

[Anonymous Coward]

How about some links to those E-bay auctions with bio-weapon technology? And while your are at it how about some links to the plans to make a bio-weapon? Everyone should do a google query for bioweapon.

I'll be right back. Their are a few men in black suites at the door.

Me thinks thou doth protest too much...

[Lord Kano]

Hello Dante, let me introduce myself. I'm Lord Kano, and I'm about to expose you.

Your post caught my eye because it was really funny. Then I started to wonder what else you talk about in your posts.

Looking at your recent posting history I have found the following.

Negroponte says Linux too 'Fat'

• I have enough problems without slashdot starting to sound like my girlfriend.

Startup Webaroo to put the 'Web on a Hard Drive'?

• Would the downloadable content include porn?
  
  Er, I'm asking this in order to, er, protect my girlfriend's sensibilities. Can't have her unwittingly downloading such naughty stuff you know. =)

Two Unofficial IE Patches Block Attacks

• Are you related to my girlfriend? Because she asks smart questions like you. =)

So many references to your "girlfriend" in so short a time aroused my suspicions so I decided to google for '"Dante Shamest" girlfriend' and guess what I found.
THIS proof that you are a liar with no girlfriend.

• I fooled somebody into thinking that I had a girlfriend.
  
  But...I don't.

You've been using the same bullshit ruse for over a year now. It's ok if you're celibate, but it's just plain pathetic to lie about having a girlfriend.

LK

Re:Me thinks thou doth protest too much...

[Lord Kano]

It took less than 5 minutes. I can spare that on a sunday evening when the payout is this good. I've been giggling for about 15 mintues.

LK

Re:Me thinks thou doth protest too much...

[jpardey]

Of course there isn't a big conspiracy. A oonspiracy requires more than one person, and it is quite clear you are singular.

Re:Me thinks thou doth protest too much...

[themadplasterer]

Oh! Burn!

Re:Me thinks thou doth protest too much...

[Progman3K]

I don't know what's sadder;

Dante lying about having a girlfriend

You taking the time and bothering to unmask him

or me bothering to care about you nerds at all...

Invasion Target

[Sathias]

Does this mean that America is going to invade E-bay?

How do you fit your tin foil hat...

[NoMercy]

How do you fit your tin foil hat... to a HazMat suit?

Popov?

[Ajaxamander]

A soviet bioweaponeer? NOW I get why the lower-shelf vodka of same name is so toxic.