Do Recent Scientific and Technological Advances Lower the Threshold for the Proliferation of Biological Weapons?
Author: Burke K. Zimmerman and Amanda N. Koch Monterey Institute for International Studies James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies December 18, 2006 Introduction Concerns have arisen that, given the tremendous advances in genetics, analytical and synthetic biotechnologies, and the accompanying explosion in knowledge of the human genome and its function, as well as the complete genetic maps of a number of viruses and microorganisms, it may be possible for non-state parties, or states with rather primitive scientific and technical infrastructures, to develop effective biological weapons at relatively low cost and without the complex and expensive technological investment needed in the past. This paper presents an overview and assessment of the probability that such scientific and technical advances would stimulate the proliferation of biological weapons development to both states and non-state parties. In this discussion, the latter includes everything from a single individual w
Related Questions
- Do Recent Scientific and Technological Advances Lower the Threshold for the Proliferation of Biological Weapons?
- What recent scientific studies have been completed on possible biological effects and what have they found?
- What scientific or technological advances have benefited the bottled water industry recently?
