16. Hitler was one for genetics with his Nazi nightmare government. I sincerely feel that if the majority of human beings who live in free western world societies were educated in the principled arena, genetic engineering of the human body and mind would not become into reality. But, albeit, the military does have some far more sophisticated medications to give to soldiers to keep them physically well so they can jump out of their sick bed and get to the work of murdering other humans.

The U.S. military is farther ahead in the meds area than our private medical doctors. God help us all if humans become so savage as to agree with genetic human engineering, the future of human survival will be quite dim with a super race of soldiers on the front line. Any government that would honestly allow such human genetic engineering would still hold shades of keeping Nazi Hitler Germany alive.

Rose at 8:21PM on Jun 20th 2008

17. Super-genetic modified soldiers. While to some it sounds like a neat idea, and to other the stuff nightmares are made of, it may under some circumstances become a necessity.
While it might be benifitial to modify soldiers to fight in hostile environments. there is one trade off that cannot be ignored. What to do with these soldiers after the fighting stops. Say they are modified to be able to live and fight on a planet or even a hazardous area right here on our planet. once modified, can they be un-modified? Or will they have to remain in the environment they were modified for? Adds a whole new meaning to being a "Lifer".
Also if we develope an army of modified humans that are faster stronger and more aggresive to fight in our wars, how do we integrate them back into a society that naturally frowns on violence?
As a veteran i am well aware of the consiquences of war on normal human beings. I turned down special training to become part of one elite group because i wanted to know what type of de-training would be available at the end of my service. My concern was that after being trained to become a professional killer, what was available to me that would prevent my possibly killing my young son if he made the unfortunate mistake of being a kid and jumping on me while I was asleep, and could piossibly automatically responde as trained by the military.
War is a sad thing and I am sad that we even have to have such discussions. But I am a realist and acknoledge that as long as there are humans there will always be the bad ones who will use violence to get what they want and society will always need those to defend us from such people, groups, or countries.
If the future of warfare does someday require modified soldiers or as some think robot-soldiers. I sincerely hope that there are fail-safe systems to prevent some of the horrendous outcomes that could result from such things.
Though not modified or still in it professionally.
I do stand ready to defend not only this country, but the weak and the oppressed as I was trained to do. Maybe it will not ever be the modifications that will win out but the true soul of those who choose to willingly take on the onerous and dirty job of being soldiers.
Though not glamourous or as flashy as the idea of modified or super soldiers, the real human soldiers will always be true and capable of winning out against collosial odds and protect those of us who can't. And our loyalty and sense of duty will prevail no matter what the odds are.

John at 1:14AM on Jun 21st 2008

18. Ultimately, the tip of the sword will not be humans. Just as sailors no longer pull up alongside their adversary to unleash a broadside, land forces will one day no longer meet human to human on the battlefield. The simple solution to control of robotic fighting equipment is to never give that control up. Use a joystick, use Wii technology. The soldier of tomorrow is honing their skills in their bedrooms playing WOW and GTA. Soldiers will fight wars the world over and go home to the family at shift change. It seems to me this scenario is no less probable than engineering humans and is perhaps much more technically possible.

John Boles at 5:39PM on Jun 21st 2008

19. American is way ahead in the area of the super soldier it's called the United States Marine Corps.
Someone's got to watch the wire while you all debate and figure out the best way for the country to go - a little less talk, more prayer, and actions go a lot further. Just some friendly advice from one who got tire of the talk and started to walk. My hope is my walk help the world to be a better place, despite my lack of a standard religion.
Semper Fidelis Cyber world.

Justin Harding at 10:37AM on Jun 22nd 2008

20. Life really is a zero sum game. Any strength or advantage engineered into your super-soldier would surely have a corresponding weakness or vulnerability. If breeding the perfect soldier is anything like breeding the perfectly pedigreed pup, you might find that your soldier is crosseyed, likes to hump his CO's leg, and has bad hips by the time he's 6 years old. All of our most brilliant scientists, engineers and experts can only ape the perfection of nature.

Mike at 11:39AM on Jun 22nd 2008

21. With guile not Strength.The mind is the warriors true weapon not high endurance biceps and quads.And are They suggesting drug enhanced and genetically engineered soldiers is where we want the American soldier or Marine to be,to completed his Mission?That sounds similar to the Reich's concept of their special troops ideal type.Are these Super troops to be a new Warrior Caste?Who will be the Host Mother of these Troop?

j.e. mcclelland at 2:59AM on Jun 24th 2008

22. Then again, maybe in the future we might not fight with (or against) such engineered soldiers.

WOW! Not since the Kurt Russell's "Soldier" have I been so conscience of such a banal thought.

mick at 8:16AM on Jun 23rd 2008

23. We already have super soldiers, they are called UNITED STATES MARINES!!!!!

gruntred at 11:30AM on Jun 26th 2008

24. If you don't like the news then press eject
Baby Davis getting older can't take a rain check
It's time to let'em know what we expect
Stop building SUV's strung out on OPEC
Hold up wait up you know we come correct
You wanna change things up, well hey just get set
It's easier to sit back than stick out your neck
It's easier to break things than build it correct
We've got a president we didn't elect
The Kyoto treaty he decided to neglect
And still the US just wants to flex
Keep doin' that wop we gonna break our necks

It takes a second to wreck it
It takes time to build
You gots to chill

Hate filled people wanna keep us in check
Tearin' down each other is what they expect
If you want love well hey that's a bet
We've got to give before we can get
Waiting like a batter who is on deck
When it's time to wreck shop then shop I'll wreck
So let's calibrate and check our specs
We need a little shift on over towards the left
I don't really know but I suspect
I think it's due time that we inspect
How they get their information and their facts are checked
Another press conference someone's talking out their neck

It takes a second to wreck it
It takes time to build
You gots to chill

So step up to the window and place your bets
Is the US gonna keep breaking necks
Maybe it's time that we impeach Tex
And the military muscle that he wants to flex
By the time Bush is done what will be left
Selling votes like E-pills at the discotheque
Environmental destruction and the national dept
But plenty of dollars left in the fat war chest
What the real deal why you can't connect
Why you hating people that you never met
Didn't your mama teach you to show some respect?
Why not open your mind for a sec?

It takes a second to wreck it
It takes time to build
You gots to chill

Ween at 10:59PM on Jun 26th 2008

25. Just professional men and women doing their job. Trained to keep on keeping on, especially when times get tough. Wishing that the back seat drivers and politicians would just shut up, and let us do our job.

American Soldier at 6:42PM on Jun 27th 2008

26. The very idea of genetically altering humans disgusts me. How DARE we manipulate infants and force them to fight regardless of their choice in the matter upon adulthood! We should be moving AWAY from combat, not towards it. Everyone claims they want peace, and only create more war in the name of that goal. I say we're better off extinct, but since that'll get me arrested by the CIA for treason or crimes against humanity, but we need a different sort of change, and gene abuse isn't it.

Alaras at 5:35AM on Jul 1st 2008