👉 Suicide engineering, also known as "dual-use research," refers to the practice of conducting scientific studies with potential applications in both beneficial and harmful contexts. Researchers may engage in this activity to explore the underlying mechanisms of a biological process or technology, with the understanding that their findings could be misused. For instance, studies on viral replication or gene editing techniques like CRISPR could theoretically be repurposed to create more potent pathogens or bioweapons. This practice is often scrutinized due to the ethical implications and the potential for misuse, necessitating strict oversight and responsible conduct in scientific research.
