The De Novo Synthesis of Horsepox Virus: Implications for Biosecurity and Recommendations for Preventing the Reemergence of Smallpox

The De Novo Synthesis of Horsepox Virus: Implications for Biosecurity and Recommendations for Preventing the Reemergence of Smallpox

Discusses the potential dual-use threat arising from the synthesis of the first ever orthopox virus.

2017

This breakthrough provided insights into how one might synthesize an orthopox virus, and there wasn't adequate discussion about dual-use risks prior to the research being completed. The synthetic biology industry needs to be more heavily regulated. Public health/biodefense community should come up with a better way of regulating smallpox production and also treating smallpox.