1. Delay, Detect, Defend: Preparing for a Future in which Thousands Can Release New Pandemics
- Author:
- Kevin M. Esvelt
- Publication Date:
- 11-2022
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Geneva Centre for Security Policy
- Abstract:
- The world is demonstrably vulnerable to the introduction of a single pandemic virus with a comparatively low case fatality rate. The deliberate and simultaneous release of many pandemic viruses across travel hubs could threaten the stability of civilisation. Current trends suggest that within a decade, tens of thousands of skilled individuals will be able to access the information required for them to single-handedly cause new pandemics. Safeguarding civilisation from the catastrophic misuse of biotechnology requires delaying the development and misuse of pandemic-class agents while building systems capable of reliably detecting threats and preventing nearly all infections.
- Topic:
- Security, Public Health, Pandemic, and Health Crisis
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus