Are there some weapons we perhaps shouldn’t invent?

Listen to Dave’s Commentary: Are there some weapons we perhaps shouldn’t invent?

Nothing stops the march of science. And that certainly applies to weapons and lately, research has actually managed to make weapons less deadly even as they become more effective.

You don’t have to nuke an entire city to defeat an enemy anymore, just tap in the coordinates of the dictator’s palace, fight for eight more years, and you’re done.
Well now military researchers are taking the next step. Brain weapons!

A paper published in a journal called Synesis, which deals with brain research, says it may soon be possible to make powerful brain pills.

Superman drugs that could make soldiers fight 24 hours without sleep. Electronic brain interfaces that would let fighter pilots aim using thoughts.

You could also treat PTSD using drugs the erase memories. Drugs which could also make prisoners forget torture, or soldiers forget atrocities they committed; all of which is amazing, and to some scientists, creepy. In fact, some 200 neuroscientists have signed pledges not to participate in military research they consider immoral.
And whether the research is immoral or not, there’s a practical consideration too.

We didn’t have our nuclear monopoly long, or our guided missile monopoly, Iran managed to capture one of our high-tech drones. My guess is any brain weapons developed by the good guys are guaranteed to end up one day in the hands of bad guys.

Before military researchers develop the next strain of hallucenogenic bacteria, I hope they have a cheap antidote ready.