Completed Projects

Technologies to Address Global Catastrophic Biological Risks

Technologies to Address Global Catastrophic Biological Risks (PDF)

This project is an exploration of extant and emerging technologies that have the potential to radically alter the trajectory of Global Catastrophic Biological Risks (GCBR). Through extensive research and interviews with internationally recognized experts in the field, the Center has identified technologies that, with strategic investment over the next decade, might significantly reduce these severe human, animal and plant infectious disease events that pose a catastrophic risk to humanity.

Traditional approaches to early identification, surveillance, and response in epidemics are often too slow or limited in scope to prevent disease from spreading and having serious consequences for affected populations. Consequently, technological interventions to address GCBRs will need to improve disease detection, surveillance, and characterization, and increase response speed and global response reach to help avoid the emergence and geographic spread and/or reduce severity.

The Center looked for emerging technologies as well as those already in wide use for other purposes but have not yet been directed at the problem of severe infectious disease emergencies. Technologies were of interest if they addressed any stage of a GCBR event; however, the project’s primarily focus was identifying technologies that can be applied to mitigate the impact of a severe pandemic once the pandemic is underway.

Project team lead: Crystal Watson, DrPH, MPH; Matthew Watson; Tara Kirk Sell, PhD, MA

Project team: Caitlin Rivers, PhD; Matthew Shearer, MPH; Christopher Hurtado, MHS

Project supported by: Open Philanthropy Project

Resources: Technologies to Address Global Catastrophic Biological Risks (final report)

Date completed: Oct. 9, 2018