Edward Hammond (scientist)
Encyclopedia
Edward Hammond is an American
policy researcher who, from 1999 through 2007, served as the Director of the United States office of the Sunshine Project
, managing its research program on biodefense
, incapacitants and other issues.
Hammond's research relies heavily on government records obtained through the US Freedom of Information Act and other open government
laws. His requests revealed Pentagon "non-lethal weapons" research of questionable legality under biological and chemical weapons laws, major flaws in Institutional Biosafety Committees, biosafety and security lapses at Texas A&M University
, and a notorious US Air Force proposal to develop a "gay bomb
." His research has been published by the Sunshine Project, in peer reviewed journals, and by news media.
Edward Hammond began his work on biotechnology-related policy in the early 1990s and was program officer for the Rural Advancement Foundation International, also known as RAFI, from 1995-1999. Hammond is also a member of the Pugwash Study Group on the Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions
and the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.
virus stocks and pandemic influenza preparedness, particularly reform of the WHO
Global Influenza Surveillance Network.
He maintains two public websites, one dedicated to influenza-related policy issues (called Immunocompetent), and the other to biodefense research in Texas. The latter, named the The Biodefense Barbeque, pokes fun at biodefense laboratories by claiming to be the website of the "Texas Biodefense Alliance", a fictitious coalition of flunkies who have found unlikely success by dedicating themselves to government grants for biodefense research.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
policy researcher who, from 1999 through 2007, served as the Director of the United States office of the Sunshine Project
Sunshine Project
The Sunshine Project is an international NGO dedicated to upholding prohibitions against biological warfare and, particularly, to preventing military abuse of biotechnology. It was directed by Edward Hammond....
, managing its research program on biodefense
Biodefense
Biodefense refers to short term, local, usually military measures to restore biosecurity to a given group of persons in a given area who are, or may be, subject to biological warfare— in the civilian terminology, it is a very robust biohazard response. It is technically possible to apply...
, incapacitants and other issues.
Hammond's research relies heavily on government records obtained through the US Freedom of Information Act and other open government
Open government
Open government is the governing doctrine which holds that citizens have the right to access the documents and proceedings of the government to allow for effective public oversight. In its broadest construction it opposes reason of state and racist considerations, which have tended to legitimize...
laws. His requests revealed Pentagon "non-lethal weapons" research of questionable legality under biological and chemical weapons laws, major flaws in Institutional Biosafety Committees, biosafety and security lapses at Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
, and a notorious US Air Force proposal to develop a "gay bomb
Gay bomb
The "halitosis bomb" and "gay bomb" are informal names for two theoretical non-lethal chemical weapons, which a United States Air Force research laboratory speculated about producing, which involved discharging female sex pheromones over enemy forces in order to make them sexually attracted to each...
." His research has been published by the Sunshine Project, in peer reviewed journals, and by news media.
Edward Hammond began his work on biotechnology-related policy in the early 1990s and was program officer for the Rural Advancement Foundation International, also known as RAFI, from 1995-1999. Hammond is also a member of the Pugwash Study Group on the Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions
Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
The Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs is an international organization that brings together scholars and public figures to work toward reducing the danger of armed conflict and to seek solutions to global security threats...
and the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.
Current activities
After the suspension of the Sunshine Project in early 2008, Hammond has divided his time between Texas and Bogotá, Colombia. His recent work has focused on issues including destruction of smallpoxSmallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
virus stocks and pandemic influenza preparedness, particularly reform of the WHO
Who
Who may refer to:* Who , an English-language pronoun* who , a Unix command* Who?, one of the Five Ws in journalism- Art and entertainment :* Who? , a 1958 novel by Algis Budrys...
Global Influenza Surveillance Network.
He maintains two public websites, one dedicated to influenza-related policy issues (called Immunocompetent), and the other to biodefense research in Texas. The latter, named the The Biodefense Barbeque, pokes fun at biodefense laboratories by claiming to be the website of the "Texas Biodefense Alliance", a fictitious coalition of flunkies who have found unlikely success by dedicating themselves to government grants for biodefense research.