The People's and Enemies' Two Bodies: Sacrifice and Sovereign Violence in the US Military's Use of Genetic Technologies

Through an analysis of US military development and use of genetic technologies, I argue these efforts have been shaped by an emphasis on sacrifice to the Nation and the American People in the committing of sovereign violence. First, I analyze genetic testing in the identification and sacralization of US service personnel, including the controversial 1998 identification of the Vietnam War Unknown Soldier. Conversely, US war culture engages in the demonization of enemies as evil and without political legitimacy. This demonization shaped how family, ancestry, and visible appearance-related genetics have been used in targeting those deemed enemies after 9/11, including the US killing of Osama bin Laden, and counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Finally, I consider US military programs to genetically select and eventually genetically engineer US Special Forces members to maximize “force lethality” and other sovereign violence capacities.