It has been reported that Synthetic biology (the creation of artificial lifeforms) could allow easier Bioterrorism and Biological Warfare in the form of a synthetic virus or bacterium capable of airborne spread at a high rate while causing incapacitation or death to infected.
It can also used, in the event that drug resistant bacteria or viruses get into the public. to attempt to create a vaccine.
Darpa might also be able to use this in a attempt to develop a way to improve the medical technology of Soldiers and attempt to develop counter bioterrorism/warfare.
Both parties could used the labs to attempt to try and curb biosphere and environmental collapse due to die off.