Biosecurity
Safeguarding against pandemics and addressing extreme biological risks through targeted policy engagement
Introduction
We work to enhance global preparedness against extreme biological risks. By engaging government, policymakers, academics and industry, we advise on strategies to bolster pandemic prevention, strengthen biosecurity measures, and promote the responsible development of biotechnologies.
We believe that responsible innovation can lead to a prospering bioeconomy that delivers transformative benefits while mitigating biosecurity risks.
Our current focus
- Developing a new risk index to monitor AI-enabled biological tools in collaboration with RAND Europe
- Investigating the benefits of a thriving UK bioeconomy for reduction in biological risks
- Examining the resilience of the UK domestic manufacturing supply chain in biological events
- Supporting the effective implementation of the UK’s 2023 Biological Security Strategy
- Advising government and frontier AI labs on the risks at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biology, including through forum such as the General-Purpose AI Code of Practice, Frontier AI Safety Framework Conference and direct engagement
Featured Work
Biosecurity
Progress on Biosecurity in the European Biotech Act
CLTR responds to the amendments tabled by the joint SANT and ITRE committees and to the ENVI and JURI opinions. We set out
Gap consolidation of the mirror life evidence base
This blog post and accompanying spreadsheet identify specific, safe knowledge gaps to fill for preparedness without lowering the barriers to creating mirror life.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Synthetic Nucleic Acid Screening for the UK
Through a cost-benefit analysis, we found that mandatory screening synthetic nucleic acids over 50 base pairs in length bought or sold in the
Defensive acceleration: the strategic pivot needed for UK biological resilience
A framework and four priority programmes to grow the economy and strengthen UK biosecurity in the age of AI.
What we want to see
- Adequate funding and resources are allocated to fully implement the UK’s 2023 Biological Security Strategy plan and achieve its fifteen outcome commitments by 2030
- The development and operationalisation of the National Biosurveillance Network as a critical tool for early detection and response to novel pathogen outbreaks
- Uptake of UK screening guidance on synthetic nucleic acids to prevent access to dangerous biological materials
- A thriving UK bioeconomy with resilient domestic supply chains that delivers prosperity and reduces biological risk
- Expansion of the US-UK Strategic Dialogue on Biological Security beyond 2024, driving collaborative efforts to enhance global resilience against the full spectrum of biological threats
£376 million
UK government public spending on COVID-19
51
Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) laboratories globally
£1.4 million
Annual budget for the Biological Weapon Convention Implementation Support Unit
Our future plans
Assist the UK in becoming the global leader in responsible innovation of engineered biology, capitalising on the potential while mitigating the risks
Ensure robust risk assessment is conducted at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biosecurity
Ensure full implementation of the UK’s Biological Security Strategy
Biosecurity Policy Team
Dr Cassidy Nelson
Director of Biosecurity Policy
Scott Allen
Associate Director of Biosecurity Policy
Dr Michael Mahar
Senior Biosecurity Policy Manager
Dr Paul-Enguerrand Fady
Senior Biosecurity Policy Manager
Dr Carl Mayers OBE
Senior Adviser, Biosecurity Policy
