Ask HN: Can Crispr Be Used as Weapon of Mass Destruction?
CRISPR (https://www.livescience.com/58790-crispr-explained.html) allows the "cut and paste" editing of the genome by packaging the cut and paste code in a virus that then is introduced to the host. The virus then alters the RNA/DNA after finding a match for the preprogrammed location it is to cut and insert DNA.
I worry that a state or non-state actor may find the genetic signature for an adversarial ethnic group and target that group using a genetic virus using CRISPR. So for example, the mechanism for infection could be a cold virus. The virus would simply cause the common cold in any non-adversarial group. If the virus detects that the host belongs to the adversarial group via some genetic marker it could do all sorts of terrible things to the genetic makeup of the host like cause sterilization, mess with hormone production, alter mechanisms that affect impulse control etc.
What worries me for this is that the weapon could be deployed and it would be impossible to know who deployed the weapon. A scientist could simply infect himself and walk through a busy thorough fair.
For all we know this has already happened.
Are my fears overblown or am I not appropriately understanding the science? Is anyone working on a counter to this?