Paul Cruickshank, CNN terrorism analyst, is the editor in chief of CTC Sentinel, the flagship publication of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. These dynamics led scientists at the United States Military Academy at West Point to sound the alarm over the potential future bioterror threat posed by synthetic biology. "As technology increases and spreads, those with a simple home laboratory system may be able to manipulate bacterial and viral genes without expert training or years of experience," write the West Point scientists. The question is, will we make them today before a disaster happens or be forced by catastrophe to make them tomorrow?" Biosecurity should be the number one national security and public health priority for whoever resides in the White House during the next four years.

Source: CNN September 28, 2020 20:15 UTC