Microsoft’s Bill Gates warned bioterrorism could kill 30 million people, urged international community to prepare

Briefing

Microsoft’s Bill Gates warned bioterrorism could kill 30 million people, urged international community to prepare

February 28, 2017

Briefing

  • 30 Million Potential Deaths – Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates warned bio-terrorism, use of genetic engineering by terrorists to intentionally re-create highly contagious diseases, could kill 30 million people in less than one year
  • Real Terrorist Plots – U.S. and U.K. intelligence agencies reported ISIS had tried to create biological weapons at its bases in Syria and Iraq
  • Accessible Technology – Advances in molecular biology since 2012 have made tools to develop biological weapons more accessible
  • Epidemic Forecast – Epidemiologists, experts who study spread and control of diseases, predict outbreak could occur in 10-15 years
  • Outbreak Preparation – Recommended preparing for potential global epidemics through simulations and preparedness exercises to understand spread of disease, how people respond in panic, and how to deal with overloaded highways and communication systems

Accelerator

Sector

Healthcare/Health Sciences

Source

Original Publication Date

February 18, 2017

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