Rou

The law is simple. Almost any given human interaction has at least one unforeseen reaction. Sometimes minor, sometimes major. This is particularly true when dealing with nature. Anything you do could have far reaching and irreversable effects that may not be things you want to occur.

It’s a well known rule of thumb; one causes many environmentalists to shiver late at night. The counter to this law is well thought out, and well researched planning.

Thus, I have to say I’m surprised we I read about people that don’t put more consideration into their actions. For example, take Indiana Congressman Mark Souder. He considers drugs to be a major problem in our country and he wants to do something about it. Or at least, wants to be seen trying to do something about it.

He’s got an idea. It’s a really…. special idea.

He wants to start a biological war against marijuana plants. He wants to spray a fungus (Fusarium oxysporum) on drug fields.

This fungus will more or less kill most marijuana and poppy plants, as well as retard their ability to reproduce.

One small problem. You see, this fungus isn’t exactly stable. It mutates quickly and regularly shifts structure to attack other types of plants and trees.

Wait, wait, there’s more. You see, research has also linked this fungus to a recent increase of an eye disease! So, to recap: it kills drug plants, but may lead to massive environmental damage and a possibility of damaging innocent human vision. Nice.

He has a response of course. He doesn’t want to do it in the US. No, he wants the CIA to do this in OTHER countries, particularly those in South America. Now, I could be wrong, but that sounds awfully close to a biological attack on a foreign nation. Not quite because it’s not designed to target humans, but even if it only effects it’s intended target, it’s pretty messed up.

On the plus side, the CIA has balked at the request saying that it was unethical to use a fungus on a foreign national that we are unwilling to use on our own soil. It really says something when we count on the CIA to be the moral stop guard for our Congressmen.

I imagine the voters in his district never anticipated this consequence. I suppose we should count ourselves lucky that others in government service have a little more intelligence than this guy.