Genome modification technologies: what are the challenges for defense and what place for international law

Résumé

The rapid, efficient and low-cost growth of genomic modification technologies rightly raises questions about their use for military purposes or in the context of terrorist actions. Will the proliferation risks of a dual-use technology open the way for a new “arms race”? How can the international community protect itself from this risk and what role can international law play in a common effort to control and combat it? Can we just awaken researchers to greater accountability? Should international law also be mobilized and to what extent can it acquire a sufficient operational character in this respect?