Engineered pathogens: the opportunities, risks and challenges

• DOI: 10.1042/bio04103034
• Publication Date: 2019-10-11T11:34:50Z
• Authors: Cassidy Nelson
• Keywords: Biosecurity; Biological Warfare; Biodefense; Pandemic; plague; Yersinia pestis

Before modern times, only nature was capable of engineering pathogens. This ability by no means unimpressive: evolution has repeatedly demonstrated a formidable capacity for producing vast array infectious agents. Pathogens such as Variola major and Yersinia pestis, which cause smallpox plague respectively, wielded enough destructive power to shape parts human history. However, recent advancements in biotechnology mean it is now possible engineer new viruses bacteria. Developments the field synthetic biology present many exciting opportunities, enabling better understanding disease-causing agents facilitating creation medical therapeutics diagnostics. with these breakthroughs comes risk that some worst pathogens history could be recreated without requiring access natural sources. Furthermore, engineered microbes may surpass potential their evolved counterparts being designed deadlier or more transmissible. These enhanced pose an unprecedented pandemic threat global community. Given risks, essential regulatory frameworks potentially hazardous research reflect capabilities address emerging biosecurity concerns.