Emerging Life Sciences and Possible Threats to International Security

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and International Security
• Emerging Technologies and Geopolitics

Background:

• Advanced genetic engineering, exemplified by Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) systems, is rapidly advancing.
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the immediacy and geopolitical implications of biotechnologies.
• Current gene-editing techniques offer unprecedented ease and precision in manipulating genetic material.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the geopolitical implications of advanced genetic engineering.
• To examine the role of gene-editing technologies in international security debates.
• To assess the need for new governance and security paradigms.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of current gene-editing technologies and their capabilities.
• Review of national and international security discourse surrounding biotechnology.
• Conceptualization of new models for biosecurity and technology governance.

Main Results:

• CRISPR and similar technologies present novel challenges for proliferation and unconventional weapons.
• Existing deterrence and nonproliferation models are insufficient for emerging biotechnologies.
• The governance of science and technology requires updated international frameworks.

Conclusions:

• Advanced genetic engineering necessitates a reevaluation of international security strategies.
• New biosecurity and technology governance models are crucial.
• Proactive international cooperation is vital to manage the risks associated with gene-editing advancements.