The VMAT2 Gene and the Dangerous Fantasy of Genetic Warfare
Why we need a global moratorium on military genome experiments
In the early 20th century, philosopher and scientist Rudolf Steiner warned of a future where the soul would be targeted by medicine. He envisioned a world where, under the guise of health, humanity would be stripped of its spiritual essence, reduced to mere biological machines.
Over a century later, we find ourselves grappling with the ethical and scientific implications of genetic engineering, where the line between healing and harm is increasingly blurred. At the center of this debate is the VMAT2 gene, a critical regulator of neurotransmitters, and the disturbing possibility that it could be weaponized in the name of warfare or social control.
The VMAT2 gene, also known as SLC18A2, encodes the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 protein, a vital component of the nervous system. It is responsible for transporting neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and histamine into synaptic vesicles, ensuring proper brain function. Without VMAT2, our ability to regulate mood, cognition, and even basic motor functions would collapse. Yet, in recent years, this gene has been thrust into the spotlight not for its life-sustaining role, but for its speculative connection to spirituality—and the chilling idea that it could be manipulated to suppress religious belief or extremism.
This is not science fiction. It is a dangerous intersection of genetics, ethics, and militarization that demands urgent attention.
The VMAT2 gene: a lifeline for the brain
Before diving into the controversy, it’s essential to understand the critical role VMAT2 plays in human health:
Neurotransmitter regulation: VMAT2 packages monoamine neurotransmitters into vesicles, ensuring their proper storage and release. This process is fundamental to brain communication and function.
Mental health: Dysregulation of VMAT2 is linked to severe neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder.
Reward and motivation: VMAT2 is central to the brain’s reward system, influencing addiction, motivation, and even our sense of pleasure.
In short, VMAT2 is not a gene we can afford to tamper with lightly. Its deletion or suppression could lead to catastrophic consequences, from intellectual disabilities to accelerated aging, autoimmune disorders, and even death.
The 'God Gene' hypothesis: a misguided leap
In 2004, geneticist Dean Hamer proposed a controversial hypothesis in his book The God Gene: How Faith is Hardwired into Our Genes. He suggested that variations in the VMAT2 gene might influence an individual’s predisposition to spirituality and self-transcendence. While intriguing, this idea has been widely criticized for its oversimplification of complex human behaviors and lack of robust scientific evidence.
Spirituality and religiosity are multifaceted traits shaped by genetics, environment, culture, and personal experience. To reduce them to a single gene is not only scientifically unsound but also ethically irresponsible. Yet, this hypothesis has taken on a life of its own, fueling speculation about the potential for genetic manipulation to alter human belief systems.
The FunVax Conspiracy: science fiction or strategic deception?
Enter FunVax, short for ‘Fundamentalist Vaccine’. This alleged concept, which surfaced in a viral video purportedly from a 2005 Department of Defense presentation, suggests the development of a vaccine to suppress the VMAT2 gene in "religious fanatics." The video, later claimed to be a hoax by former news anchor Ryan Harper, nonetheless sparked widespread concern. Whether real or fabricated, the idea of using genetic engineering to target religious belief is a chilling reminder of the ethical minefields we face.
The video’s claims are not entirely baseless. In 2009, Dean Hamer himself lectured on the VMAT2 gene’s potential role in spirituality, and patents exist for technologies that could manipulate this gene using CRISPR or viral vectors. The tools to edit VMAT2 are readily available, raising the question:
How far are we from seeing such technologies weaponized?
The horrifying consequences of VMAT2 manipulation
The deletion or suppression of VMAT2 is not a trivial matter. Studies on mice have shown that VMAT2 knockout leads to schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, and severe intellectual disabilities. In humans, VMAT2 dysfunction is associated with a host of chronic illnesses, including autoimmune disorders, cerebral palsy, and type 1 diabetes. The idea of deliberately inducing such conditions in the name of ‘peace’ or ‘security’ is not only unethical but also profoundly inhumane.
Moreover, the notion that suppressing VMAT2 could eliminate religious extremism is both scientifically and philosophically flawed. Spirituality and belief are deeply rooted in the human experience, shaped by countless factors beyond genetics. To target a gene like VMAT2 in the hope of eradicating extremism is not only futile but also dangerously naive.
A call for a global moratorium
The potential misuse of VMAT2 editing technologies underscores the urgent need for a global moratorium on military experiments involving the human genome. Just as the world has called for a ban on gain-of-function research due to its potential for catastrophic misuse, we must also demand an end to genetic engineering for warfare or social control.
The VMAT2 gene is not a weapon. It is a cornerstone of human health and cognition. To manipulate it for any purpose other than healing is to risk unimaginable harm. We must act now to establish international safeguards, ensuring that genetic technologies are used responsibly and ethically.
Protecting humanity’s essence
Rudolf Steiner’s warning about the soul being eliminated through medicine feels eerily prescient in the age of genetic engineering. The VMAT2 gene, with its vital role in neurotransmitter regulation, is a testament to the complexity and fragility of the human mind. To weaponize it—or any part of our genome—is to cross a line that should never be crossed.
As we stand on the precipice of unprecedented scientific advancements, we must ask ourselves: What kind of future do we want to create? One where our genetic code is a tool for healing and understanding, or one where it becomes a weapon of control and destruction? The choice is ours, but we must act swiftly and decisively to ensure that science serves humanity, not the other way around.
Let this be a call to action: a global moratorium on military genome experiments, and a renewed commitment to the ethical use of genetic technologies. Our humanity—and our future—depend on it. The World Council for Health stands for its seven principles:
Could it be that the proponents of VMAT2 gene modification themselves suffer from a defect in the functioning of their own VMAT2 genes?