Applied Biosecurity: Global Health, Biodefense, and Developing Technologies

This book explores the nexus between public health, international security, and developing technologies, building a case for augmenting biosecurity to levels beyond the laboratory constraints. It highlights the need for a fragmented field of practice, with tremendous need, from the lab to the outbreak, and the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic as a historic milestone to examine biosecurity through a global lens.

Format: Hardback
Length: 163 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The book explores the complex relationship between public health, international security, and developing technologies, arguing that biosecurity should be elevated to levels beyond the limitations of the laboratory. It emphasizes the need for proper biosecurity development to secure the world from natural and man-made biological disasters.

The changing nature of biological and biomedical sciences presents new challenges for biosafety and biosecurity. The emergence of threats like terrorism and dual-use technologies, such as synthetic biology, requires a reevaluation of our approach to biosafety and biosecurity.

Public health and international security are increasingly intertwined, as both fields face the threat of intentional or natural biological incidents. Biosecurity has traditionally been limited to the laboratory setting, making it challenging to apply to larger efforts such as international threat reduction and biological incident management.

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic provides a historic opportunity to examine biosecurity through a global lens. The pandemic has highlighted the need for robust biosecurity measures, including surveillance, testing, and response protocols, and has emphasized the importance of collaboration and information sharing among countries.

The book proposes an adaptable biothreat assessment process that can be integrated into overall biorisk management programs. It emphasizes the importance of considering the unique nature of biological assets and the potential risks and benefits associated with their use. The book also examines the nexus between public health, international security, and developing technologies, building a case for augmenting biosecurity to levels beyond the laboratory constraints.

To address the challenges of biosecurity, the book advocates for the development of a skilled workforce of biosecurity professionals who are trained in both the biological sciences and threat management techniques. It emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to biosecurity that considers the interdependencies between different sectors and the potential impacts of biological incidents on society.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive and timely examination of biosecurity, arguing that it should be elevated to levels beyond the laboratory and integrated into broader efforts to secure the world from biological threats. The book emphasizes the need for a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to biosecurity that considers the complex relationship between public health, international security, and developing technologies.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030694630
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021