Features - Biosecurity

Biological threat reduction in Central Asia

Still coping with the residue from Soviet-era bioweapons programs, Central Asian scientists are using foreign assistance to improve their region's disease surveillance capabilities.

The security impact of the neurosciences

The U.S. government is exploring using a bevy of advanced neuroscience technologies to support security-related missions--but at what cost?

The challenges of developing synthetic pathogens

Building synthetic pathogens may be the easiest way to spread certain diseases, but it wouldn't be easy.

Improving infectious disease surveillance

In the places around the globe where new diseases are most likely to emerge, the infrastructure to detect outbreaks is severely lacking.

Setting the nanotech research agenda

When re-upping nanotech R&D funding, Congress should account for the positive impact sound risk and safety assessments would have on the field and the public.

Helping the United Nations combat bioterrorism

Three ways new U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon can prevent terrorists from using biological weapons.