Laboratory of Bacteriology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA.
Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA.
Lancet Infect Dis. 2021 Aug;21(8):e222-e233. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(21)00382-0.
For the past 20 years, the notion of bioterror has been a source of considerable fear and panic worldwide. In response to the terror attacks of 2001 in the USA, extensive research funding was awarded to investigate bioterror-related pathogens. The global scientific legacy of this funding has extended into the present day, highlighted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Unsurprisingly, the surge in biodefence-related research and preparedness has been met with considerable apprehension and opposition. Here, we briefly outline the history of modern bioterror threats and biodefence research, describe the scientific legacy of biodefence research by highlighting advances pertaining to specific bacterial and viral pathogens, and summarise the future of biodefence research and its relevance today. We sought to address the sizeable question: have the past 20 years of investment into biodefence research and preparedness been worth it? The legacy of modern biodefence funding includes advancements in biosecurity, biosurveillence, diagnostics, medical countermeasures, and vaccines. In summary, we feel that these advances justify the substantial biodefence funding trend of the past two decades and set a precedent for future funding.
在过去的 20 年中，生物恐怖主义的概念一直是全世界相当恐惧和恐慌的根源。为了应对 2001 年美国的恐怖袭击，美国政府拨出了大量的研究资金来调查与生物恐怖主义有关的病原体。这笔资金的全球科学遗产一直延续到今天，目前正在进行的 COVID-19 大流行就是一个突出的例子。毫不奇怪，生物防御相关研究和准备工作的激增引起了相当大的关注和反对。在这里，我们简要概述了现代生物恐怖主义威胁和生物防御研究的历史，通过强调与特定细菌和病毒病原体相关的进展来描述生物防御研究的科学遗产，并总结了生物防御研究的未来及其今天的相关性。我们试图回答一个相当大的问题：过去 20 年对生物防御研究和准备工作的投资是否值得？现代生物防御资金的遗产包括生物安全、生物监测、诊断、医疗对策和疫苗方面的进展。总之，我们认为这些进展证明了过去 20 年大量的生物防御资金是合理的，并为未来的资金提供了先例。
