We are a new NGO with a leadership team from around the world, which believes that research that creates new, non-natural potential pandemic pathogens poses existential risks to humanity and provides few, if any, benefits for science, medicine, public health, or national security. We are convinced that public health and safety require that all such research be subject to independent external controls, rather than be trusted to the oversight of the scientists performing or the organizations funding the research.
WHY WAS BIOSAFETY NOW FORMED?
The rapidly increasing power of biotechnology has made research-generated pandemics a constant threat to the welfare of the human species. Remarkably, despite the major risks to the public, research that creates new, non-natural potential pandemic pathogens is growing and is subject to almost no national or international oversight. We are dedicated to drawing attention to this threat and supporting communities across the world to mobilize against it.
WHAT IS OUR MISSION?
Biosafety Now’s mission is to draw attention to the constant threat of research-generated pandemics, through education as well as local, state, national, and international advocacy in partnership with communities who have mobilized or want to mobilize to protect themselves and the future of humanity.
We are fighting for comprehensive, legally-binding, national- and international-level oversight to foresee, regulate, and ultimately minimize the risks to the public of research that creates new, non-natural potential pandemic pathogens.
HOW WILL WE ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION?
By growing our website into the go-to website for information on all issues related to biosafety, biosecurity, and biorisk management, not just in the United States, but also around the globe. In addition to our website, we will also disseminate information through our social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn).
By hosting public forums, webinars, and Twitter spaces that discuss issues related to biosafety, biosecurity, and biorisk management and how high-risk research involving dangerous pathogens poses serious environmental justice and health equity concerns.
By organizing conferences and workshops for scientists, health professionals, affected and concerned communities, influencers, and journalists to discuss biosafety, biosecurity, and biorisk management as well as how these issues intersect with environmental justice and health equity concerns.
By assisting journalists, filmmakers, and other creators in producing informative, engaging, and empowering content.
By organizing and promoting letter-writing campaigns to local, state, and federal lawmakers.
By supporting community activists across the globe in ways they tell us they want and with actions we have the capacity to take.
By using targeted advertising strategies aimed at individuals who hold positions of influence in policy making.
By engaging lawmakers on the local, state, and federal levels and offer specific proposals for how to strengthen oversight of high-risk research involving dangerous pathogens. (Notably, several members of our leadership teamhave testified before the United States Congress on this issue).
By mobilizing support of related NGOs (e.g., environmental justice and health equity groups) through our membership in civil society networks and/or direct outreach.
