Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists April 27th 2023
Posted: 28th April 2023
April 27, 2023
An aerial view of Khartoum, Sudan.
BIOSECURITY
WHO: Biological hazard brewing in Sudan as fighters overtake a central public health labOn Tuesday, a warring group in Sudan seized control of the country’s main public health lab, which houses dangerous pathogen samples, such as polio and cholera. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time war has impacted lab security, writes Bulletin biosecurity editor Matt Field. Read more.
DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Existential espionage: How intelligence gathering can protect humanityUntil now, intelligence communities have paid almost no attention to existential risks, says catastrophic risk expert Rumtin Sepasspour. “But the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that other, potentially calamitous, threats are just as important—and the intelligence community should pay heed.” Read more.
NUCLEAR RISK
Russia is deploying nuclear weapons in Belarus. NATO shouldn’t take the baitRecent nuclear signaling and actions by Russia are clearly a step on the escalation ladder, says top nuclear arms control expert Nikolai N. Sokov. Although a tit-for-tat response to Russia’s escalatory steps may be tempting, it is unnecessary and potentially dangerous. Read more.
Discussions that will shape the future of biosecurity
Last week, the Bulletin’s Pathogens Project conference in Geneva, Switzerland brought together leading experts from all over the world to create a framework for future pathogen research. Listen to their discussions about biorisks in the future and how to manage biosecurity globally.
BIOSECURITY
Labs experimenting with deadly viruses risk 1.6m deaths every year, experts warnAfter fears that COVID-19 originated in a lab, virologists and biosafety experts gathered in Geneva for the Bulletin’s Pathogens Project conference to discuss how to prevent another pandemic. The Telegraph’s science editor Sarah Knapton attended the conference and shares her thoughts in this article. Read more.
SPECIAL TOPICS
Get daily updates on the topics that inform the Doomsday ClockTo get daily updates on what experts are thinking about nuclear risk, climate change, and disruptive technologies, follow the Bulletin on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Tiktok.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We are trying to keep the spotlight on these issues and make sure that civic organisations are engaged in this and not leave it just to governments and policy-makers, because they need the pressure and focus from us.”
— Rachel Bronson, Bulletin president and CEO, “Are pathogens getting ahead of us?” Geneva Solutions
Your ongoing support ensures we stay on mission and get the job done.
Thank you!