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Topic/Area:

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.

CLTR biosecurity policy meeting sat around conference table
AI Biosecurity policy fringe event - panel on stage

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

UK Screening Guidance: Collated list of biological agents and toxins


To help support the uptake of the UK screening guidance, The Centre for Long-Term Resilience has collated a list of biological agents and

Nov 20, 2024

Response to the Covid Inquiry Module 1 Report on ‘Preparedness and Resilience’


On July 18th, The Right Honourable Baroness Hallett published Module 1 of the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, focusing on the Resilience and Preparedness of the

Aug 14, 2024

Capability-Based Risk Assessment for AI-Enabled Biological Tools


Life sciences research and industries are undergoing a rapid transformation due to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).

Aug 23, 2024

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Publication of the refreshed Biological Security Strategy


The Centre for Long-Term Resilience welcomes the publication of the refreshed Biological Security Strategy (BSS) from the UK Government.

Jun 11, 2023

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