Biotechnology & Public Health
A focus on biotechnology and public health was established in SGS in the fall of 2002 to provide independent policy analysis on issues pertaining to dual use biotechnology research. Advances in science and technology may be used for malevolent purposes, and biology has been no exception as the 2001 anthrax attacks illustrate. SGS brings together experts in dual-use biotechnology policy to develop strategies to counter such global threats.
The vast majority of bioterrorist agents and emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, meaning that they are diseases of animals that infect humans. Anthrax, plague, and tularemia are examples of zoonotic pathogens that are also Category A bioterrorist agents. One Health is a strategy that seeks to increase communication and collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health professionals, in order to address the threats of emerging zoonotic diseases and bioterrorism. SGS provides policy analysis on ways to implement One Health in the U.S. and abroad.
