The science of Armageddon?

Last year there was a huge fuss about scientists creating the next generation of killer plague. In fact they had genetically tweaked a flu virus to make it more infectious. The fuss was about publishing how it was done. Given the recipe, it was argued, terrorists or other malign forces could make copies. Publication went ahead, nonetheless, in the interests of scientific freedom. Now Laurie Garrett, the famed science writer, warns of the next stage in this concern. Could DNA technology now enable almost anyone to conjure the ingredients of Armageddon in their own shed?