AN INCREDIBLE hot mic moment among the “Axis of Evil” leaders has cast he spotlight China and Russia’s long-rumbling scheme to develop bio-hacked super-troops.
Genetically modified soldiers “bred like cattle” to kill and unable to feel pain are within the realms of possibility – and experts have revealed how the world’s most dangerous nations could get them.
EPAPresidents Putin and Xi Jinping had lots to talk about at the military parade[/caption]
APBoth leaders are known to have aspirations for developing modified ‘supertroops’[/caption]
Genetic modification could allow soldiers to grow even stronger
China‘s Xi Jinping, Russia‘s Vladimir Putin and North Korea‘s Kim Jong Un were more concerned with their own eternal life at yesterday’s monumental Beijing parade.
The three despots discussed how biotechnology could result in humans living up to 150 – with it all picked up on an unprecedented live mic gaff.
Vlad then speculated that repeated organ transplants could let us “perhaps even achieve immortality”.
Their chat may have sounded like playground nonsense, but it revealed sinister ambitions with terrifying potential.
‘Worse than a nuclear bomb’
Putin warned back in 2017 that genetically-modified troops “worse than a nuclear bomb” could soon become a reality.
Eight years and billions of pounds later – it’s terrifying to think how his plan is coming along.
He told a group of schoolkids he could create soldiers with “pre-designed characteristics” like “a man without fear” or being “a genius”.
Since then, experts have warned that China harbours similar ambitions – and it was Xi’s empire which had the first breakthrough.
Chinese scientist He Jiankui in 2020 managed to use gene-editing technology to make three GM babies who were immune to HIV.
Professor John Louth said: “GM technology is proven with plants, it could absolutely be applied to the person.”
Prof Louth, of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), added: “The threat is obvious and real.
“Chinese money could be stealing a march on western armed forces and that is deeply concerning.
“In China, it is reasonable to assume that they are enhancing their battlefield soldiers on all these fronts.”
China jailed Dr Jiankui for “illegal medical practices”, but investigations shown that its military chiefs are backing research into human gene editing trials.
Later that year, Trump’s former director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe, warned China was “testing” on its army in the hope of developing “soldiers with biologically enhanced capabilities”.
GettyA Russian officer conducting brain tests on a soldier[/caption]
ReutersChina has developed the ability genetically modify humans – and has been testing on its troops, according to a former top American spy[/caption]
Herculean strength
But what could genetically-enhanced troops actually look like?
From Herculean strength to lizard-like limb regeneration, human genome editing could make combatants stronger, faster and even smarter than their battlefield opponents.
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, former UK and NATO Commander of Chemical Biological and Nuclear Defence Forces, also warned biosecurity “could be tomorrow’s nuclear weapon”.
He said: “The creation of super humans as athletes or soldiers seems rather fanciful and very James Bond, but technically is becoming more feasible.
“It is deeply worrying if these extraordinary leaps in technology are used for nefarious means.”
What is gene editing?
GENE editing involves inserting, deleting, modifying or replacing the DNA of a living organism
It could help protect humans against diseases and natural illness
And some believe that gene editing could give us superhuman enhancements
These could include boosted sense of smell or improved night vision
Scientists are divided over the ethics of gene editing
Editing DNA is a new and risky science that could have unknown consequences for babies
And DNA-editing could lead to societal changes, with the prospect of “designer babies” becoming real
This could lead to severe inequality – a future where only the rich can afford to modify their DNA
Michael Clarke, visiting professor in war studies at King’s College London, warned how countries could be using DNA as a farmer would in a herd of cattle.
“We’ve reached the point now where we could potentially manipulate people’s DNA to breed into them extra strength, endurance and other things just as we do with animals,” he said.
“Just as we’ve done with standard cattle to give them more back, we can do that now very precisely with humans.”
And Prof Clarke said this is fuelling the biological race, with countries fearing what China may be able to produce in the near future.
He said: “What they’re all thinking about is what might come up in 30 years’ time, given another 10 years development and experimentation.
“The Chinese in 30 years’ time might have a cohort of people who are 20 years-old who’ve got particular characteristics they might have tried to breed into them by manipulating DNA.”
Other advances have seen soldiers fitted with exoskeletons to improve strength and speed, and microchips injected into their skin to monitor their heart rate and battlefield performance.
ReutersPutin, Xi and Kim Jong Un all hung out for the first time yesterday[/caption]
GettySome of the world’s biggest weapons were on display[/caption]
Gecko Skin
Russia and China will no doubt have their eye on developments in the field around the world.
The US has conducted some strange super-soldier research projects of its own.
They’ve already publicly unveiled a £5million Iron Man-style exoskeleton which gives fighters incredible muscle-power.
Even France has unveiled research aiming to improve “physical, cognitive, perceptive and psychological capacities” of soldiers and could allow for location tracking or connectivity with weapons systems.
Among the ministry’s research were drugs to keep troops awake for long periods of time and combat stress, and even surgery to improve hearing.
But France has been clear that any move towards creating the “bionic” soldiers would be made while respecting humanitarian law – a commitment not so guaranteed from Russia or China.
A mock up of what the futures troops could look like
EPAPutin has said enhanced troops could be worse than nuclear bombs[/caption]
Bionic battle suits
Just after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Putin decided to show off his deadly tool box of weapons.
Right alongside lethal tanks and huge ballistic missiles was a photo of a Russian troop covered in brain wires and various charts in the background.
This was a sign that he considers troop modification to be just as crucial as the development of heavy weaponry.
Later that year, a company announced it was going to begin testing Iron Man-style robot battle suits for deployment in Ukraine at the request of the Kremlin.
The high-tech exoskeletons give the wearer super-strength, deadly accuracy from distance, and the ability to run faster and for longer over difficult terrain.
Maxim Skokov, the CEO of Russia’s Ekzo Solutions, revealed his company had been approached by “special agencies” looking to test its equipment on the battlefield.
It’s believed he is most likely referring to Russia’s intelligence services or mercenary groups.