Jaime Yassif on the need for better safeguarding of bioscience
An expert says bad-faith actors can too easily get hold of dangerous biotechnology
AS A RESULT of advances in bioscience and biotechnology, synthetic DNA—the potential building blocks of a dangerous pathogen—could be just an online order away. In recent years, the cost of DNA synthesis has continued to plummet, new suppliers have emerged in countries around the world, and bench-top synthesis devices that make it easier for scientists to print DNA in their own labs are now commercially available. Safeguards have not always kept up.
By Invitation December 24th 2022
From the December 24th 2022 edition
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Three presidents on the partnerships that can at last transform Africa
Success teeters on bold, stable funding, say Julius Maada Bio, Lazarus Chakwera and Andry Rajoelina
Assisted-dying advocates’ claims of freedom have it backward, says Danny Kruger
One of a pair of essays in which members of Parliament argue their cases
My assisted-dying bill safely solves a grave injustice, says Kim Leadbeater
One of a pair of essays in which members of Parliament argue their cases
“Middle powers” can thrive in the age of AI, says Eric Schmidt
Google’s former chief executive has a playbook for riding out the revolution
Polls get elections wrong. So use Google, says Seth Stephens-Davidowitz
The data scientist argues that stronger predictions lie in what people search for
War in Ukraine may only intensify under Trump, says Dmytro Kuleba
The country’s former foreign minister explains the powderkeg that is three leaders in a cannot-lose standoff