The Devastating Potential of Pandemics

History has shown us the immense damage that pandemics can inflict on human lives, economies, and societies. From the Black Death in the 14th century to the Spanish flu in 1918 and the COVID-19 pandemic, infectious disease outbreaks have claimed millions of lives and caused untold suffering.

However, the worst might be yet to come. With advancements in biotechnology and the increasing accessibility of tools for genetic engineering, the risk of an engineered pandemic — one that is more deadly, more contagious, or more difficult to contain than naturally occurring outbreaks — is growing.

According to research by Schoch-Spana et al., an engineered pandemic could potentially kill up to 10% of the global population, or around 800 million people. Even a smaller pandemic, on the scale of the COVID-19 outbreak, could kill tens of millions and cost trillions of dollars in economic damage.

The Importance of Biosecurity

Investing in biosecurity is not only a moral imperative but also a smart economic and social choice. By taking proactive steps to prevent and mitigate pandemics, we can save countless lives, protect livelihoods, and safeguard the stability and resilience of our societies.