With a focus on biological threats to the United States and a new, public-private effort to counter them, the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense will host its first public meeting in New York City this week.
Their main topic of discussion will be ‘A Manhattan Project for Biodefense’ — a public-private research and development effort specifically focused on biological dangers, whether nationally-sponsored or terrorist-spread. For the panel, representatives from various organizations will be gathered together to discuss biological threats, biodefense research, necessary resources, and the business risks involved.
“We are at a decided disadvantage when it comes to defending against a biological threat. No matter what the source, the nation, and the world are at catastrophic biological risk from terrorist attacks and infectious diseases. We have a responsibility to act now to prevent the worst from happening in the future,” Joe Lieberman, former U.S. Senator and Panel Co-Chair, said.
While the panel and organization are focused on very real-world events, the event will also feature Max Brooks, author of the best-selling “World War Z,” which examined viral spread and its aftermath through the fictional lens of a zombie plague. Brooks has also recently partnered with the Study Panel to create a new graphic novel called, “GERM WARFARE: A Very Graphic History,” which showcases biological warfare events the world has already suffered, their possibilities in the future and the continued need for public health security.