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Sabra DM, Krin A, Romeral AB, Frieß JL, Jeremias G. Anthrax revisited: how assessing the unpredictable can improve biosecurity. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1215773. [PMID: 37795173 PMCID: PMC10546327 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1215773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
B. anthracis is one of the most often weaponized pathogens. States had it in their bioweapons programs and criminals and terrorists have used or attempted to use it. This study is motivated by the narrative that emerging and developing technologies today contribute to the amplification of danger through greater easiness, accessibility and affordability of steps in the making of an anthrax weapon. As states would have way better preconditions if they would decide for an offensive bioweapons program, we focus on bioterrorism. This paper analyzes and assesses the possible bioterrorism threat arising from advances in synthetic biology, genome editing, information availability, and other emerging, and converging sciences and enabling technologies. Methodologically we apply foresight methods to encourage the analysis of contemporary technological advances. We have developed a conceptual six-step foresight science framework approach. It represents a synthesis of various foresight methodologies including literature review, elements of horizon scanning, trend impact analysis, red team exercise, and free flow open-ended discussions. Our results show a significant shift in the threat landscape. Increasing affordability, widespread distribution, efficiency, as well as ease of use of DNA synthesis, and rapid advances in genome-editing and synthetic genomic technologies lead to an ever-growing number and types of actors who could potentially weaponize B. anthracis. Understanding the current and future capabilities of these technologies and their potential for misuse critically shapes the current and future threat landscape and underlines the necessary adaptation of biosecurity measures in the spheres of multi-level political decision making and in the science community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dunja Manal Sabra
- Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker-Centre for Science and Peace Research (ZNF), University of Hamburg, Bogenallee, Hamburg, Germany
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Ahmad T, Baig M, Othman SS, Malibary H, Ahmad S, Rasheed SM, Al Bataineh MT, Al-Omari B. Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization Mapping of Anthrax Vaccine Publications from 1991 through 2021. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10071007. [PMID: 35891169 PMCID: PMC9316950 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to analyze and characterize anthrax vaccine-related research, key developments, global research trends, and mapping of published scientific research articles during the last three decades (1991–2021). Methods: A bibliometric and visualized study was conducted. The Web of Science Core Collection database (WoSCC) was searched using relevant keywords (“Anthrax” OR “Anthrax bacterium” OR “Bacillus anthracis” OR “Bacteridium anthracis” OR “Bacillus cereus var. Anthracis” (Topic)) AND (“Vaccine” OR “Vaccines” OR “Immunization” OR “Immunisation” OR “Immunizations” OR “Immunisations” (Topic)) with specific restrictions. The data was analyzed and plotted by using different bibliometric software and tools (HistCiteTM software, version 12.3.17, Bibliometrix: An R-tool version 3.2.1, and VOSviewer software, version 1.6.17). Results: The initial search yielded 1750 documents. After screening the titles and abstracts of the published studies, a total of 1090 articles published from 1991 to 2021 were included in the final analysis. These articles were published in 334 journals and were authored by 4567 authors from 64 countries with a collaboration index of 4.32. The annual scientific production growth rate was found to be 9.68%. The analyzed articles were cited 31335 times. The most productive year was 2006 (n = 77, 7.06%), while the most cited year was 2007 (2561 citations). The leading authors and journals in anthrax research were Rakesh Bhatnagar from Jawaharlal Nehru University, India (n = 35, 3.21%), and Vaccine (n = 1830, 16.51%), while the most cited author and journal were Arthur M. Friedlander from the United States Department of Defense (n = 2762), and Vaccine (n = 5696), respectively. The most studied recent research trend topics were lethal, double-blind, epidemiology, B surface antigen, disease, and toxin. The United States of America (USA) was the most dominant country in terms of publications, citations, corresponding author country, and global collaboration in anthrax vaccine research. The USA had the strongest collaboration with the United Kingdom (UK), China, Canada, Germany, and France. Conclusion: This is the first bibliometric study that provides a comprehensive historical overview of scientific studies. From 2006 to 2008, more than 20% of the total articles were published; however, a decrease was observed since 2013 in anthrax vaccine research. The developed countries made significant contributions to anthrax vaccine-related research, especially the USA. Among the top 10 leading authors, six authors are from the USA. The majority of the top leading institutions are also from the USA. About 90% of the total studies were funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tauseef Ahmad
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
- Correspondence: or (T.A.); (B.A.-O.)
| | - Mukhtiar Baig
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 25289, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Sahar Shafik Othman
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 25289, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Husam Malibary
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 25289, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Shabir Ahmad
- Department of Agriculture, Bacha Khan University Charsadda, P.O. Box 20, Charsadda 24420, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; (S.A.); (S.M.R.)
| | - Syed Majid Rasheed
- Department of Agriculture, Bacha Khan University Charsadda, P.O. Box 20, Charsadda 24420, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; (S.A.); (S.M.R.)
| | - Mohammad T. Al Bataineh
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates;
- Emirates Bio-Research Center, Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Basem Al-Omari
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
- K.U. Research and Data Intelligence Support Center (RDISC) AW 8474000331, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: or (T.A.); (B.A.-O.)
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