Understanding the Threat of Biological Weapons in a World with COVID

Understanding the Threat of Biological Weapons in a World with COVID

Author surveys bioweapons experts to roadmap the most important historical trends surrounding bioweapon risk and policy (motivators, inhibitors, drivers, wild cards) from the 1940s to present day. With this information, the author attempts to create three possible scenarios that detail future sentiments regarding biological weapons in a post-COVID world.

2022

Right before the COVID-19 pandemic, the factors most important in shaping BW programs were deniability, psychological impact, accessibility, ability to cause economic damage, and ease at which it can be concealed. The human toll and economic devastation of the pandemic certainly shifted the views of many nations regarding the use of dangerous pathogens that may cause a future pandemic. The author concludes that United States policy post-pandemic should focus on expanding international and multilateral cooperation on BW and public health policy, and should also increase funding to support biodefense to prepare for a future event that may be similar to the pandemic.