This activity is a warm-up/raising awareness activity which can be used directly before and after viewing the programme, or it can be used independently of the programme to discuss the main issues/key ideas inherent in the development of biological weapons and ethnically targeted weapons.

(a) This part is meant to be a whole class and/or group discussion lasting 5—10 minutes.

If the programme is used then students:

• May find it useful, before viewing the programme, to pool their existing understanding of the terms ‘biological weapons’, ‘human genetic diversity’ and ‘genetic engineering’.
• May also find it helpful to jot down key words while watching, as a basis for Activity (b) — discussion of the programme’s underlying ideas.

(b) This part can be used after viewing the programme and is meant to be a whole class and/or group discussion lasting 20—30 minutes. It can be used independently of the programme as well.

Activity 2: Could Gulf War Syndrome Result From a Biological Weapon?

This is an online/offline individual or group activity which is intended to last 60—90 minutes. If it is used as an offline activity, the article can be printed out from the Web address:

http://www.planetlink.com/planetaryconnections/iss13/gws.html

Alternatively, here is a copy of the article.

Research evidence is accumulating to suggest that Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) may be the result of genetically engineered germ warfare. That’s the view according to Garth Nicolson, PhD, professor of pathology and internal medicine, chairman of the tumour biology department at the MD, Anderson Cancer Clinic in Houston, Texas (the largest such facility in the world), and the author of over 400 scientific papers.

Dr Nicolson argues that the GWS microbe seems to be the product of combining a gene from the HIV-AIDS virus with a mycoplasma (a tiny cellular component, normally harmless, until activated) to produce a new super pathogenic and infectious microbe not otherwise found in nature. The genetic engineering was presumably in the US, Nicolson says, then sold with at least 10 other biological warfare agents to the Iraqi government between 1984 and 1989.

As many as 6,000 US soldiers have already died from this otherwise mysterious illness, at least 15,000 more are sick from it, family members never in the Gulf are becoming infected and miscarriages and congenitally deformed children are attributed to it as well, says Dr Nicolson.

Further, GWS symptoms are strikingly similar to chronic fatigue syndrome on 31 points. With the highest correlation (85%) being aching joints. Dr Nicolson hints that the biological-warfare-derived microbe may be central to both illnesses. Meanwhile, Dr Nicolson has published information on his successful antibiotic treatment (tetracycline at 100 mg. 2 times daily for 10 days, although up to 6 courses may be required) for GWS. Dr Nicolson contends, based on private sources, that the GWS-HIV mycoplasma microbe may have been tested on the prison inmate population in Texas.

‘We have possibly uncovered one of the messiest controversies and cover-ups since Watergate.’ Dr. Nicolson states. ‘There is a huge cover-up of immense proportions. A lot of people are not happy about this getting out.’

Reprinted from ‘The Alternative Medicine Digest’. Issue # II.

Activity 3: Biological Defences

This is a class or group discussion activity which is meant to last 10—15 minutes. The text can be altered to make no reference to the programme.