[Problem profile] “Reducing global catastrophic biological risks” by Gregory Lewis

Plagues throughout history suggest the potential for biology to cause global catastrophe. This potential increases in step with the march of biotechnological progress. Global Catastrophic Biological Risks (GCBRs) may compose a significant share of all global catastrophic risk, and, if so, a credible threat to humankind.

Despite extensive existing efforts addressed to nearby fields like biodefense and public health, GCBRs remain a large challenge that is plausibly both neglected and tractable. The existing portfolio of work often overlooks risks of this magnitude, and largely does not focus on the mechanisms by which such disasters are most likely to arise.

Much remains unclear: the contours of the risk landscape, the best avenues for impact, and how people can best contribute. Despite these uncertainties, GCBRs are plausibly one of the most important challenges facing humankind, and work to reduce these risks is highly valuable.

After reading, you may also like to listen to our podcast interview with the author about this article and the COVID-19 pandemic.

This profile replaces our 2016 profile on biosecurity.

https://80000hours.org/problem-profiles/preventing-catastrophic-pandemics/full-report/

Narrated by the author.

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First published:
March 15th, 2020

Source:
https://80000hours.org/problem-profiles/preventing-catastrophic-pandemics/full-report