Gordian Knot

Interview with Dr. Tomoya Saito – The Risks of Dual-Use Technologies for Biosecurity

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Bacteria Francisella tularensis, a potential biothreat agent. Picture by Shutterstock/ Kateryna Kon

Over the summer, I met with Dr. Tomoya Saito in Tokyo to learn about outbreak and bioterror preparedness in Japan.

This is Part II of my conversation in which we discuss the risks of dual-use technologies for biosecurity. Part I focused on the structure of the Japanese preparedness system and was posted in March. Continue Reading

National Biodefense Strategy 2018: The US Government’s Latest Approach to Combat Biological Threats

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Scientists in high security lab. Picture by Shutterstock/Gorodenkoff

On the preparedness front in the United States, the new National Biodefense Strategy was released on September 19, 2018. The new strategy establishes clear and thoughtful goals that will become a vital part of “managing the risk of biological incidents… in today’s interconnected world” 1. Continue Reading