Brain-altering weapons: A new tech risk, say UK researchers
UK researchers Michael Crowley and Malcolm Dando are sounding the alarm about brain-altering weapons.
Thanks to advances in neuroscience, chemicals that can mess with how people think or behave—once the subject of Cold War and post-Cold War research—are now a real and growing risk.
Tech makes targeting minds easier
New tools mean these chemicals can be used more precisely than ever.
What's meant for treating brain disorders could be twisted to control or confuse people instead.
Past incidents, like the 2002 Moscow theater siege, showed how dangerous these substances can be—and ongoing research in multiple countries continues to expand what's possible.
Rules haven't caught up
Current global treaties don't really cover these newer threats.
The researchers are urging action so science helps people—not gets used against them.
Their message: we need better protections before this tech gets out of hand.