Paris - Genetic engineers already have it within their grasp to devise a lethal bioweapon for terrorists and rogue states, the science publication Nature warns.
Small changes in the DNA of well-known bacteria and viruses could turn these agents into mass killers, the journal says in an article to appear in today's issue.
"Making subtle genetic alterations to existing pathogens to increase their virulence or durability in the environment, or to make them harder to detect or to treat with drugs, is within the limits of today's technology," Nature says.