In recent years, British scientists have received Darpa funding for controversial genomic research, such as genetic extinction of invasive species such as mosquitoes or rodents.Despite its promise, this could have disastrous potential to damage food security and threaten the wider ecosystems of nations.Genome technology deployment needs to be managed in a universally, ethically and scientifically robust manner.If it isn’t, the potential for a new arms race for advances in this research will only lead to more radical and potentially dangerous solutions.There are many unanswered questions about how Aria will help genome research within the military sphere.The pathway the UK chooses will have lasting consequences on how we perceive genome tech in the public space.