In the Shadow of Biological Warfare: Conspiracy Theories on the Origins of COVID-19 and Enhancing Global Governance of B
- PDF / 268,310 Bytes
- 8 Pages / 547.087 x 737.008 pts Page_size
- 38 Downloads / 221 Views
SYMPOSIUM: COVID-19
In the Shadow of Biological Warfare: Conspiracy Theories on the Origins of COVID-19 and Enhancing Global Governance of Biosafety as a Matter of Urgency Jing-Bao Nie
Received: 6 May 2020 / Accepted: 6 August 2020 # Journal of Bioethical Inquiry Pty Ltd. 2020
Abstract Two theories on the origins of COVID-19 have been widely circulating in China and the West respectively, one blaming the United States and the other a highest-level biocontainment laboratory in Wuhan, the initial epicentre of the pandemic. Both theories make claims of biological warfare attempts. According to the available scientific evidence, these claims are groundless. However, like the episodes of biological warfare during the mid-twentieth century, the spread of these present-day conspiracy theories reflects a series of longstanding and damaging trends in the international scene which include deep mistrust, animosities, the power of ideologies such as nationalism, and the sacrifice of truth in propaganda campaigns. Also, the threats associated with biological warfare, bioterrorism, and the accidental leakage of deadly viruses from labs are real and growing. Thus, developing a better global governance of biosafety and biosecurity than exists at present is an urgent imperative for the international community in the broader context of a looming Cold War II. For such a governance, an ethical framework is proposed based upon the triple ethical values of transparency, trust, and the common good of humanity.
The devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for individuals, families, communities, countries, and the world as a whole offers vivid proof that microbes could be just as destructive and terrifying—if not more so—than the use of nuclear weapons. And it is much less difficult to forge biological weapons than nuclear ones. As a result, driven by their hunger for power and dominion, states and terrorist groups may feel increasingly tempted to access and exercise such super-biological means of destruction. Furthermore, the safety of the scientific laboratories where the most dangerous pathogens are researched (and sometimes created) has long been a sword of Damocles hanging over humankind. Through examining two popular conspiracy theories on the origins of COVID-19 and the historical background of biological warfare (BW) during the midtwentieth century, this article will demonstrate the urgency of a much higher level of global governance of biosafety and biosecurity. Moreover, the key elements of an ethical framework for such a governance will be outlined.
Keywords Origins of COVID-19 . Biosafety and biosecurity . Biological warfare . P4 or BSL-4 lab . China . USA . Global governance
Conspiracy Theory Version 1: A P4 Lab in Wuhan
J.
Data Loading...
