Assessing the bioweapons threat

Abstract

The use of research in dual-use biology has been a topic of discussion due to the potential risk of its misuse. Understanding the perception of experts about the likelihood of bioweapons attacks and the risk of research misuse is fundamental for developing adequate risk assessment procedures. A study conducted with experts in national security, biosafety, and biosecurity aimed to obtain their collective judgments about the likelihood of biological threats and the potential for weaponizable biological agents. The results showed a diversity of opinions, highlighting the challenges of bioweapons risk assessment and the need for more intelligence gathering and sharing on biosecurity threats. This information can guide the development of policies and guidelines for the responsible conduct of dual-use research. – AI-generated abstract.