BIOTHREATSPick Your Poison: The Enduring Threat of Biological Toxins
A summary of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense’s “Pick Your Poison: The Enduring Threat of Biological Toxins” at the Atlantic Council.
On Thursday, February 26, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council hosted the event “Pick Your Poison: The Enduring Threat of Biological Toxins,” mapping the threat of biological toxins and their implications for future biological attacks. Recent accusations by several European countries that the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was caused by a toxin derived from poison dart frogs, paired with rapid advancements in the science and technology (S&T) sector, highlight the threat that biological toxins can pose in the hands of malicious actors. Over the course of three panels, subject matter experts discussed the evolving challenges surrounding the spectrum, use, availability, detection, and attribution of dangerous toxins.
The meeting was opened by former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle, who provided a brief overview of the dangers posed by toxins, reflecting on his personal experience during the 2001 anthrax attacks, in which he was a target. Senator Daschle emphasized that the threat extends beyond the envelope to food supply chains and water systems. He cautioned about the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and biological design tools, noting how this combination could accelerate the design of novel toxins. He further highlighted the risks posed by dual-use research of concern, which raises difficult questions about transparency and creates challenges for attribution.
In this report, we will focus on the discussion of the first panel, which was titled “Nature to Nefarious” and focused on different types of toxin threats, such as “foodborne exposure, state-sponsored assassination, terrorism, synthetic production, and warfare.” The featured experts included Dr. Gregory D. Koblentz, Director of the Graduate Biodefense Program at George Mason University; Fanny Ewann, CBRNE Specialized Officer for INTERPOL; and Dr. James Giordano, Director of the Center for Disruptive Technologies and Future Warfare at the National Defense University. For more information, a full recording of the event is available on YouTube.
The panel began with individual presentations by each expert and was followed by a Q&A session that allowed members of the commission to pose follow-up inquiries. As the first presenter, Koblentz started by outlining the technical difficulties in producing toxins in large quantities, therefore arguing that they are better suited for individual attacks rather than large-scale strikes. However, when used against high-profile targets or specific groups, toxins can act as a form of political signaling, thereby demonstrating effectiveness despite their limited range.
