Biotechnology

As elections near, Biden promotes ‘whole-of-government’ effort to cut cancer death rates and strengthen the biopharma and biotech sectors. International partners welcome, up to a point

WHO is creating new guidelines to stop lab leaks and the development of bioweapons. But scientists, focused on projects and funding, see only the benefits, rather than the risks, of their work, report warns.

It is getting ever easier to create deadly pathogens in the lab. Research funders, universities and governments need to come together under a new global body to tame this risk, experts warn.

The UK government trumpets the move as an advantage of Brexit, and plant scientists are supportive. Some researchers believe it could prefigure similar moves to ease rules in the EU