Threat of Biowarfare from Recent Genome Editing Advancements

Abstract Genes are foundational to all organisms, yet their specific makeup is left to chance. Genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR, allow scientists to manipulate the gene and rid it of disease-causing mutations. Recent advancements have rendered current authority inefficacious in ensuring biosecurity. Nations could create “designer diseases” to infect others while protecting their own. The use and access to genome editing technologies must be controlled to restrict their use as biological weapons.