🧬 The Real Science Behind Relative Outbreak: How Close Are We to a DNA-Targeting Virus?
When I first started writing Relative Outbreak, I didn’t set out to scare people. I wanted to tell a high-stakes story about what happens when science outpaces ethics—and the people trapped in the crossfire.
But as I dove deeper into the research, I realized something:
We’re a lot closer to DNA-coded bioweapons than most people think.
🔬 Can a Virus Be Programmed to Target Your DNA?
It sounds like science fiction.
A virus that doesn’t spread randomly—but selects based on your genetic code?
In Relative Outbreak, that’s exactly what the swarm does. It’s a nanotech-enhanced system that identifies bloodlines, matches DNA sequences, and activates lethally—targeting not who you are, but where you came from.
While the story is fictional, the concept isn’t far-fetched.
In fact, DARPA and other defense agencies have actively funded research into gene-targeted bioweapons—and bioethicists have been raising alarms for years.
🧬 Real Research That Inspired the Swarm
Here are a few of the real-world technologies and discoveries that helped shape the science in Relative Outbreak:
CRISPR Gene Editing – The precision and programmability of CRISPR is what made DNA-based targeting plausible. Imagine a virus carrying CRISPR-like components that activate in certain hosts.
Nanoparticle Delivery Systems – Scientists are already using nanotech to deliver medication directly to cancer cells. I flipped that idea: What if you could deliver destruction instead of healing?
DNA Forensics in Warfare – Governments already use familial DNA in criminal investigations. What happens when you weaponize that? In the book, the swarm doesn’t just look for you—it looks for your bloodline.
Surface Receptors & Olfactory Genes – In the early stages of the outbreak, victims are selected using genes like OR6A2 (a real receptor that affects smell). That’s not just fiction—it’s your genome in action.
⚠️ What Would a DNA Bioweapon Mean for Society?
If a virus could distinguish between people based on race, ancestry, or inherited traits, it would change warfare forever. It would also change medicine, justice, and surveillance. That’s why Relative Outbreak isn’t just a thriller—it’s a thought experiment.
And a warning.
The scariest thing in this story isn’t the virus.
It’s the people who built it.
And what they’re willing to sacrifice to prove it works.
📖 Want to Read the Book?
If you’re into medical thrillers, ethical gray areas, or stories that start loud and end twisted—Relative Outbreak might be your next read.