Madison D's Senior Project Blog

Project Title: UNcertain and UNsafe: How United Nations Legislation Could Combat Global Biotechnological Weapons Development BASIS Advisor: Holly Sow Internship Location: Arizona State University Onsite Mentor: Dr. Dave Engelthaler

Project Abstract

In 2012, Vladimir Putin predicted that nuclear and chemical weapons would, in the near future, be eclipsed by a new warfare giant: genetic science (Biberman, 1). Biotechnologies like CRISPR, a DNA editing tool, are being developed in labs all across the world today, renowned for their potential to secure a healthier tomorrow for humankind. But how can we trust science’s intentions? The very cutting-edge studies that revolutionize healthcare are the blueprints for new forms of biological weaponry should they fall into the wrong hands. In 1975, the United Nations passed the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) for this exact reason. With slow revision methods and gridlocked committees, though, the legislation arguably lacks the mechanisms to effectively control emerging biotechnological threats. Further, many countries oppose regulation because it limits a healthy dissemination of groundbreaking medical information. Working with Dr. David Engelthaler at the Health Observatory at ASU, I consult experts in biotechnology, genomic science and health law. In discussions, I focus on learning about emerging biotechnologies and regulation mechanisms that facilitate a safer, more certain era of public safety. I plan to discover the manner in which biotechnology is regulated both within the scientific community and by lawmakers. With this project, I hope to center specifics that the BWC lacks, such as the way biotechnologies like CRISPR can be appropriately managed in order to maintain global cooperation while still regulating pressing threats to public health, and I plan to propose potential modifications to the BWC that account for biotechnological advancements happening right now. Biberman, Yelena. “The Technologies and International Politics of Genetic Warfare.” Strategic Studies Quarterly 15, no. 3 (2021) https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/10/SSQ/Biberman."