Bugs Dividing: The Impact of Synthetic Biology on the Proliferation of Biological Weapons

<p>One of the gravest threats facing the United States is the possible use of biological weapons by a near-peer state, rogue nation or terrorist organization. Currently there are an increasing number of pathogens suitable for biological weapons. This threat has increased due to the rapid advances made world wide in the field of synthetic biology. Advances within this field have made biological weapons easier to acquire, more lethal and able to overcome advanced medical countermeasures. To deter and defend against a future biological attack, the U.S. must work with other nations to improve the Biological Weapons Convention, bioethics training, and global health efforts to prevent the proliferation of advanced biological agents and the technology necessary to produce them.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Defense and Strategic Studies

Year

2012

Author dc:creator

• Griffith, Robert Andrew

Contributors dc:contributor

• Robert Joseph

• synthetic biology
• the biological weapons convention
• biological weapons
• biodefense
• biosafety
• biosecurity
• bioterrorism
• bioethics
• Defense and Security Studies

Statement dc:rights

• © robert andrew griffith

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1359

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-2360