Prevention of Biothreats: A Look Ahead

Prevention of Biothreats: A Look Ahead

This is a summary report of a conference at the Center of Biosecurity of UPMC to discuss strategies for countering biowarfare threats.

2009

The means and knowledge to develop bioweapons is so widespread that there is no technology or process that can be regulated to prevent their development. Biological material cannot be regulated with similar framework that is able to regulate nuclear material. The overregulation of science and laboratories can do more harm than good by limiting innovation without preventing dangerous actors from acquiring material. We need better surveillance systems as the current system, Biowatch, is inadequate. Deterrence will only succeed if an aggressor has reason to believe the US can respond swiftly and effectively to an attack and that there will then be consequences.