Season 5, Episode 8: Annie Jacobsen, Biological War: A Scenario
From Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs · 53:44
Show by Jeffrey Sachs
Send us Fan MailWhat would happen if a genetically modified biological weapon escaped from a laboratory and began spreading around the world? In this episode Professor Jeffrey Sachs speaks with award-winning investigative journalist Annie Jacobsen about her latest book, Biological War: A Scenario, a chilling exploration of the risks posed by biological weapons in an age of rapidly advancing biotechnology.Drawing on interviews with scientists, military officials, and national security experts, Jacobsen examines how advances in genetic engineering could make dangerous pathogens more transmissible, more lethal, and more resistant to existing medical treatments. She walks through a fictional scenario in which an accidental laboratory release triggers a rapidly spreading outbreak, exposing how quickly fear, uncertainty, and institutional failures could overwhelm public health systems and social order.Sachs and Jacobsen also explore the history of biological weapons programs, the limitations of international treaties, and the challenges of distinguishing defensive research from work that could enable biological warfare. Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, they discuss the importance of scientific transparency, rigorous investigation, and learning from past crises rather than allowing political divisions to stand in the way.A sobering conversation about the dangers of biological weapons, the urgent need for stronger global oversight of biotechnology, and the responsibility of governments and scientists to prevent catastrophic risks before they become reality.The Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs is brought to you by the SDG Academy, the flagship education initiative of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Learn more and get involved at bookclubwithjeffreysachs.org.⭐️ Thanks for listening to Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs!📚 Join the conversation and go deeper into the ideas shaping our world.➡️ Watch the conversation on YouTube ➡️ Subscribe to the newsletter for episode updates, readings, and behind-the-scenes insights: https://bit.ly/subscribeBCJS➡️ Explore past episodes, show notes, and featured books: https://bookclubwithjeffreysachs.org🎧 Download and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.📣 Love the show? Leave a rating and review - it helps more listeners find the podcast.🔁 Share this episode with a friend, colleague, or book club who’d enjoy the discussion!
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