How likely is it that biological agents will be used deliberately to cause widespread harm?: Policymakers and scientists need to take seriously the possibility that potential pandemic pathogens will be misused

Abstract

Despite debate regarding the risks and benefits of laboratory research involving potential pandemic pathogens (PPP), little attention has been paid to the possibility of their deliberate misuse to cause widespread harm. Proponents of PPP research argue that it is essential for vaccine development and disease surveillance; opponents contend that accidental release or misuse of PPP could lead to epidemics or pandemics. The authors believe that experiments that might lead to the creation of a novel pathogen with pandemic potential (PPP) should not be pursued unless a compelling case can be made that the benefits outweigh the risks including the risks of deliberate misuse. Given these risks, they call for more serious consideration of the possibility of deliberate misuse, international norms guiding research that could result in a pandemic, and exceptional external evaluations of safety and security for laboratories working with PPP strains. – AI-generated abstract.