Hear This Idea #74 – Sonia Ben Ouagrham-Gormley on Barriers to Bioweapons
13 snips
Dec 19, 2023 Sonia Ben Ouagrham-Gormley, an associate professor at George Mason University and Deputy Director of their Biodefense Program, discusses the barriers to bioweapon development, including the misconception that they are easy to make. She explores the challenges in acquiring and manipulating pathogens, the importance of tacit knowledge, and the risks and benefits of new technologies like AI. She calls for nuanced analysis, accurate risk assessment, and measures to prevent misuse.
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Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Introduction
00:00 • 2min
Barriers to Developing Bioweapons
02:14 • 11min
Understanding Tacit Knowledge in Working with Living Organisms
13:17 • 4min
The Complexity of Bioweapons Development
17:14 • 33min
Challenges in Acquiring and Manipulating Pathogens for Bioweapons
49:56 • 33min
Risks and Benefits of New Technologies
01:23:18 • 15min
AI and Tacit Knowledge
01:37:49 • 9min
Challenges and Information Gaps in Bioweapons
01:46:40 • 7min