Bioweapons are cheaper and deadlier than nukes — and we're not ready. Biological War author Annie Jacobsen breaks down how close we are to catastrophe.
The Soviet bioweapons program was not dismantled after the Cold War — it was absorbed. The State Department says Russia and North Korea run active illegal programs; China and Iran are of concern.
Bioweapons have a low barrier to entry, needing no uranium or missiles. Experts say one could be made in a basement with basic biology and AI help. The Pentagon rates bio the greatest overall WMD threat.
Pneumonic plague is 100% fatal without antibiotics within 24 hours. The US has roughly 100 special-pathogen beds for 340 million people, so hospitals would be overwhelmed on day one.
Soviet scientists inserted a euphoria gene into plague so the infected feel good, stay social, and spread it widely instead of staying home in bed.
Annie Jacobsen's message is pressure, not panic — a human-made problem has a human solution. Pause risky gain-of-function research, depoliticize the threat, and communicate clearly so leaders can act in time.
Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör
Jordan Harbinger. Innehållet i podden är skapat av Jordan Harbinger och inte av,
eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.
