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NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS

August 31, 2009: American researchers have found a much more effective antidote for nerve gas. This one consists of a large dose of cholinesterases and beta-esterases enzyme "bioscavengers", which naturally occur in humans, but not in sufficient quantities to counteract the organophosphates (nerve gas agent) that gets into the blood and paralyzes the nervous system (and shuts down the lungs, and so on). This antidote has worked in animal tests, and has proved harmless for humans not exposed to nerve gas. But it's illegal to test the cure on humans exposed to nerve gas, even if you have volunteers.

The animal tests will have to do, until there are enough disaster situations, where large releases of organophosphates (like pesticides, which is basically nerve gas optimized for insects, but which can also injure mammals). In these cases, it is legal give emergency workers or victims the bioscavengers compound. Until then, no one will  be sure how effective the cure is, or be able to tweak it to maximum effectiveness. Meanwhile, less ethical nations can get some of the bioscavengers compound, and do some human testing, perfecting the antidote, and equipping their troops with it.