1367: Annie Jacobsen | The Genes and Germs of Biological Warfare

2026-08-11

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Bioweapons are cheaper and deadlier than nukes — and we're not ready. Biological Warfare author Annie Jacobsen breaks down how close we are to catastrophe.Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1367What We Discuss with Annie Jacobsen:The Soviet bioweapons program was not dismantled after the Cold War — it was absorbed. The State Department says Russia and North Korea run active illegal programs; China and Iran are of concern.Bioweapons have a low barrier to entry, needing no ura...

Bioweapons are cheaper and deadlier than nukes — and we're not ready. Biological Warfare author Annie Jacobsen breaks down how close we are to catastrophe.

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1367

What We Discuss with Annie Jacobsen:

The Soviet bioweapons program was not dismantled after the Cold War — it was absorbed. The State Department says Russia and North Korea run active illegal programs; China and Iran are of concern.
Bioweapons have a low barrier to entry, needing no uranium or missiles. Experts say one could be made in a basement with basic biology and AI help. The Pentagon rates bio the greatest overall WMD threat.
Pneumonic plague is 100% fatal without antibiotics within 24 hours. The US has roughly 100 special-pathogen beds for 340 million people, so hospitals would be overwhelmed on day one.
Soviet scientists inserted a euphoria gene into plague so the infected feel good, stay social, and spread it widely instead of staying home in bed.
Annie Jacobsen's message is pressure, not panic — a human-made problem has a human solution. Pause risky gain-of-function research, depoliticize the threat, and communicate clearly so leaders can act in time.
And much more...

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