Nixon initiated the Biological Weapons treaty in 1972. Genetic engineering was discovered a year later.

Start with this,

Nixon initiated the Biological Weapons treaty in 1972. Genetic engineering was discovered a year later. And so at each BW Convention Review Conference held every 5-6 years, the US would block adding provisions for inspections and sanctions.

Nass provides us with an excellent context for the US's concern over chemical and bioweapons labs.

2/4 I think the reason for this was that in 1972 the US felt poorer nations could create comparable bioweapons, so with no relative advantage for the US, it made sense to ban this entire class of weapons.
But genetic engineering was discovered a year later.

— MERYL NASS, MD (@NassMeryl) March 14, 2022