British government officials have expressed concern that terrorist groups could exploit artificial intelligence technologies to create genetically modified deadly viruses that could cause a new global pandemic.
Experts point out that artificial intelligence has become advanced enough to help extremists design viruses that spread more quickly, cause more severe symptoms, and are more resistant to treatment compared to natural diseases.
According to the warnings, it is enough to draw the genetic blueprint of the virus via computer, and then request that it be manufactured in a laboratory in the form of synthetic DNA, to be ready for use in a biological attack.
Observers fear that deliberately releasing such a pathogen could lead to a global health catastrophe similar to the coronavirus pandemic. For this reason, British authorities are considering stricter controls on the sale of lab-created DNA, fearing that this technology could fall into the wrong hands.
These concerns came after senior officials from global artificial intelligence companies sent a letter to decision-makers, demanding stricter controls on sales of synthetic DNA, warning that modern systems now outperform PhD-level virologists in their ability to design dangerous biological agents, making it easier for criminals and terrorists to create new pathogens.
Although laboratories are currently advised to verify the identity of customers requesting synthetic DNA and ensure they have a legitimate reason for the purchase, they are not legally required to conduct such checks in most countries. Authorities emphasize that they are closely monitoring this threat and continuously assessing whether further steps are needed to address the risks arising from this new technology.
In a separate context, scientists warn that global warming will inevitably lead to an expansion of disease-carrying mosquito populations, raising concerns about outbreaks of tropical diseases in previously safe areas.
Experts say governments should be concerned because many countries are unprepared for the influx of these insects and the serious diseases they carry, such as dengue fever, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika, which could emerge in new areas within the next 20 years. This is because rising temperatures and milder winters are creating a suitable environment for these insects, which were previously confined to warmer countries, increasing the likelihood of imported cases and occasional local transmission.
