Biosecurity Balancing Act: Delicate Dual-Use Issues of Synthetic Biology and Precision Medicine

Speakers: Dr. James Giordano (Georgetown University Medical Center) & Dr. DiEuliis (National Defense
University)

Date: 2 October 2024

Speaker Session Summary

The field of biomedical research is rapidly expanding and evolving, providing numerous opportunities for technological advancements in synthetic biology, genome editing, and bioengineered devices. Dr. Giordano categorized emerging biotechnology into six types: drugs, bugs, toxins, devices, data, and artificial intelligence (AI). Dr. DiEuliis highlighted that certain bioagents, such as peptides, are particularly easy to manipulate, providing the opportunity for individuals to alter one’s personal biome for either protective or offensive purposes. The expansion of this bioengineering industry, also known as the bioeconomy, has the potential to address societal challenges, including those related to crop production and mining. The potential impact of these biomedical technologies is further amplified by concurrent advancements in big data and cyberscientific systems technologies. 

Although these scientific developments present opportunities for personalized treatments for illness and injury, they also pose significant risks, such as the potential creation of weapons designed to target individuals or groups based on their genetic information. Consequently, both Dr. Giordano and Dr. DiEuliis stressed the importance of considering ethical issues, particularly regarding human privacy, autonomy, and safety. Dr. Giordano warned that while the intended purpose of new technologies may be clear, their full impact remains uncertain, leading to the possibility of governments or scientific institutions losing control over bioengineered technologies. The collection and storage of data associated with these technologies pose additional risks to individual privacy. Dr. DiEuliis underscored the need to understand the socio-ethical implications that could arise from misuse of these emerging biotechnologies, including the targeting of specific groups through biological weapons. Establishing strict regulatory guidelines and adhering to ethical principles will be critical as these tools gather vast amounts of genetic data. 

Speaker Session Recording

Briefing Materials

Biographies:

Dr. Diane DiEuliis is a Distinguished Research fellow at National Defense University, where she researches the impacts of emerging technologies on biodefense, biosecurity and national defense.  Her expertise covers biotechnology, the US bioeconomy, dual use life sciences research, neurotechnology, and behavioral, cognitive, and social issues related to emerging and converging technologies. Dr. DiEuliis teaches in biotechnology and biodefense, and lectures in foundational professional military education.

Prior to joining NDU, Dr. DiEuliis was the Deputy Director for Policy and Planning, in the Office of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. DiEuliis was the Assistant Director for Life Sciences and Behavioral and Social Sciences in the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in the Executive Office of the President across two presidencies.  During her tenure at the White House, she created policy in biosecurity, synthetic biology, biotechnology, behavioral science, scientific collections, and human subjects’ research.  Prior to working at OSTP, Dr. DiEuliis was a program director at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where she managed a diverse portfolio of neuroscience research in neurodegenerative diseases.  She is the author of over 80 publications.

James Giordano, PhD, DPhil (c), is the Pellegrino Center Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Biochemistry; Chief of the Neuroethics Studies Program; Co-director of the Project in Brain Sciences and Global Health Law and Policy; and Chair of the Subprogram in Military Medical Ethics at Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC. Professor Giordano is Senior Bioethicist of the Defense Medical Ethics Center, and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences; Science Advisory Fellow of the SMA Branch, Joint Staff, Pentagon; Visiting Research Fellow of the Institute for National Strategic Studies of the National Defense University, Washington, DC; Distinguished Stockdale Fellow in Science, Technology, and Ethics at the United States Naval Academy; and serves as the Executive Director of the Institute for Biodefense Research, a federally funded think tank dedicated to addressing emerging issues at the intersection of science, technology and national defense. He previously served as Donovan Group Senior Fellow, US Special Operations Command; founding member of the Neuroethics, Legal, and Social Issues Advisory Panel of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA); Task Leader of the Working Group on Dual-Use of the EU-Human Brain Project; and was an appointed member of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Secretary’s Advisory Committee for Human Research Protection (HHS-SACHRP). Prof. Giordano is the author of over 350 peer-reviewed publications, 9 books and 50 governmental reports on science, technology, and biosecurity, and is an elected member of the European Academy of Science and Arts; a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (UK); and a Fulbright Professorial Fellow. A former US Naval officer, he was winged as an aerospace physiologist, and served with the US Navy and Marine Corps.