> 70% of the world’s population was killed by NEOBOLA-26 but at least they signed the EULA.
I’m making fun, but this is one class of knowledge I’m worried about. However, outlawing it doesn’t seem like a solution either.
I’m making fun, but this is one class of knowledge I’m worried about. However, outlawing it doesn’t seem like a solution either.
I mean with enough motivation anyone (assuming they pass a background check) can pursue a degree in biology / genetics, get a job with access to a lab, and do the thing.
Just like people building their own nuclear bombs hasn't been a major worry.
The real issue is the CIA, FSB, etc. doing it deliberately.
[1]: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/jun/24/usa.science
That article is a nice thought experiment, but they didn't actually build it.
It's a little outdated at this point, but McPhee's 'The Curve of Binding Energy' is a fascinating read on this topic
That is an important part though.
A terrorist organization, like ISIS can get their hands on a few kits, gather a few dozen smart guys and ask them to work day and night on creating say a "better" COVID virus they can spread in the West. They won't have problems supplying test subjects to the team...
To a lesser extent, there are some sort of universities in rebel controlled areas.
No idea how good/bad they are.
You're right about the university thing, though. It's never been that hard to get this equipment.
https://m.youtube.com/@TheODINinc
Or just search their lead person: Josiah Zayner
There's gotta be some miniature electron microscope that can look at viruses in the air or something, right?
Rapid and Accurate Detection of SARS Coronavirus 2 by Nanopore Amplicon Sequencing. Xiao-Xiao Li and al.
Outlawing does not decrease demand, making stuff real expensive, so everyone wants to sell or buy it, but there's no legal protection against fraud or theft, so to meet demand, violence must escalate.
Just look back at prohibition, the drug war, outlawing guns in Britain eskalating knife violence, etc.
The way to handle the problem is not by outlawing products,but by reducing demand for them.
Why do people want drugs and alcohol? Generally to self-medicate. Mitigate the underlying causes,and watch demand evaporate.
If it's outlawed, it's only available to moneyed interests that need to practice institutional capture. The overlap of those with bad actors, well...