Title: The future of biosecurity

Authors: James Campbell

Addresses: College of Security Studies, Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

Abstract: The future of biosecurity will be determined by international scientific and political responses to the rapid worldwide expansion of genetic engineering technologies in infectious disease research, and by implementation of cooperative global surveillance and public health response policies to control the emergence of new strains of natural disease organisms. Effective responses will depend on a better understanding of the forces driving molecular evolution of emerging pathogens, as well as an integrated understanding of advanced biothreat agent design, potential applications and effects of the agent, exposure techniques or methods of deployment, and concealment techniques, including dual use stratagems.

Keywords: biosurveillance; future biosecurity risks; genetic engineering; infectious diseases; biological security; risk assessment; biological threats; emerging pathogens; molecular evolution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRAM.2009.025921

International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management, 2009 Vol.12 No.2/3/4, pp.248 - 261

Published online: 25 May 2009 *

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