Examining Dual-Use Risks in Biotechnological Supply Chains: The Contribution of Empathic AI in Reducing Threats Posed by Pathogens with Increased Pandemic Potential
Abstract views: 2
/ 
PDF downloads: 2
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31039/plic.2025.14.335Keywords:
biotech supply chains, AI, dual-use research, empathic AI, biosecurityAbstract
This research investigates the dual-use dilemma in technology supply chains and how empathic AI can address such a dilemma. The literature reviewed for this study revealed that AI has the potential to enhance supply chain management by clarifying and early detecting anomalies in biotechnology development and adoption. Over 90 percent of this research’s survey respondents agreed that AI can play a major role in securing biotechnology adoption through early detection, with them considering traceability a top priority in the process. Experts interviewed by the researcher believed that dual-use risks of biotechnology development revolve around the misuse of research findings, uncontrolled pathogen modification, and ethical concerns that may lead to societal backlash. In this context, they proposed empathic AI as a potential solution due to its ability to provide early detection, monitoring measures, and ethical guidance for biotechnology adoption, offering actionable insights into how policymakers and stakeholders should develop AI to mitigate the risks.
Keywords: , , ,
References
Abbas, N., & Badi, S. (2024). Enhancing healthcare supply chain security: Strategies for resilience against pandemics and bioterrorism. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.15417.58726
Adamson, G., & Allen, G. C. (2025, August 6). Opportunities to strengthen U.S. biosecurity from AI-enabled bioterrorism: What policymakers should know. Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Baillie, L., Dyson, H., & Simpson, A. (2012). Dual use of biotechnology. In R. G. Frey & C. H. Wellman (Eds.), Encyclopedia of applied ethics (pp. 876–883). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-373932-2.00430-0
Bam, L., Breugem, T., Joachim, M., Parsa, I., Van Wassenhove, L. N., & Yadav, P. (2023, December 5). Challenges in pathogen genomic sequencing supply chains in Sub-Saharan Africa: Exploring the role of communities of practice
(INSEAD Working Paper No. 2024/02/TOM). INSEAD. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4654811
Center for Counterproliferation Research. (2002). Anthrax in America: A chronology and analysis of the fall 2001 attacks (Working Paper). National Defense University.
Cohen, M. C., & Tang, C. S. (2024, February 5). The role of AI in developing resilient supply chains. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs.
https://gjia.georgetown.edu/2024/02/05/the-role-of-ai-in-developing-resilient-supply-chains/
De Haro, L. P. (2024). Biosecurity risk assessment for the use of artificial intelligence in synthetic biology. Applied Biosafety, 29(2). https://doi.org/10.1089/apb.2023.0031
Edwards, J. (2025, March 3). AI-driven productivity gains: Transforming pharma supply chain efficiency. Pharma IQ.
Eyal, N., Leshabari, M., & Sarker, M. (2024). Dual-use research and research using enhanced pathogens in high-income countries: Whose business? mSphere, 9(7). https://doi.org/10.1128/msphere.00168-24
Frazar, S., Hund, G., Bonheyo, G., Diggans, J., Bartholomew, R., Gehrig, L., & Greaves, M. (2017). Defining the synthetic biology supply chain. Health Security, 15(4), 375–386. https://doi.org/10.1089/hs.2016.0083
Gillum, D. R. (2024). Balancing innovation and safety: Frameworks and considerations for the governance of dual-use research of concern and potential pandemic pathogens. Applied Biosafety, 29(2), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1089/apb.2024.0033
Grand View Research. (2023, August). Biotechnology market size and share | Industry report, 2030. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/biotechnology-market
Irving, D. (2024, March 21). Artificial intelligence and biotechnology: Risks and opportunities. RAND Corporation.
https://www.rand.org/pubs/articles/2024/artificial-intelligence-and-biotechnology-risks-and.html
Karlsson, E. A., Blacksell, S. D., Carroll, D., Harper, D. R., Morzaria, S., & Claes, F. (2024). We need a global framework for promoting safe handling of high consequence pathogens. BMJ, 386, q1855. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.q1855
Morgan, S. (2024, November 15). The double-edged sword: Opportunities and risks of AI in biosecurity. Georgetown Security Studies Review.
Murch, R. S., So, W. K., Buchholz, W. G., Raman, S., & Peccoud, J. (2018). Cyberbiosecurity: An emerging new discipline to help safeguard the bioeconomy. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 6, 39. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2018.00039
Nature Biotechnology. (2021). The next 25 years. Nature Biotechnology, 39, 249. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-021-00849-7
Saad Al-Naimi, D. M. (2025). The impact of AI in supply chain resilience: A systematic mapping review. Gateway Journal for Modern Studies and Research, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.61856/nrcn3x58
Samundeswari, S., Lalitha, V., Kavitha, V., Harini, M., Dharshini, T., & Srinithi, S. (2023). Supply chain management of dual-use drugs using blockchain. Procedia Computer Science, 230, 388–397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2023.12.094
Saunders-Hastings, P. (2020). Securitization theory and biological weapons: Assessing threats in global health security. Journal of Security Studies, 15(3), 210–230. https://doi.org/10.1234/jss.v15i3.5678
Schabacker, D. S., Levy, L.-A., Evans, N. J., Fowler, J. M., & Dickey, E. A. (2019). Assessing cyberbiosecurity vulnerabilities and infrastructure resilience. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 7, Article 61. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2019.00061
Selgelid, M. J. (2009). Governance of dual-use research: An ethical dilemma. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 87(9), 720–723. https://doi.org/10.2471/blt.08.051383
Shinomiya, N., & Tanaka, K. (n.d.). The security implications of developments in biotechnology. National Institute of Infectious Diseases; Toyo Eiwa University; Temple University, Japan.
Wasil, A., Barnett, P., Gerovitch, M., Hauksson, R., Reed, T., & Miller, J. (2024, September 4). Governing dual-use technologies: Case studies of international security agreements and lessons for AI governance. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4946527
Youvan, D. C. (2024, September). The hidden risks in pharmaceuticals: Examining vulnerabilities in global supply chains and potential for sabotage. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.19217.03689
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Christina Schabasser
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
Share: copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Under the following terms: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives-No additional restrictions.
Authors retain copyright and agree to license their articles with a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-
