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The molecularisation of security: medical countermeasures, stockpiling and the governance of biological threats
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posted on 2023-06-10, 01:11 authored by Christopher LongThis book investigates the way that the molecular sciences are shaping contemporary security practices in relation to the governance of biological threats. In response to biological threats, such as pandemics and bioterrorism, governments around the world have developed a range of new security technologies, called medical countermeasures, to protect their populations. This book argues that the molecular sciences’ influence has been so great that security practices have been molecularised. Focusing on the actions of international organisations and governments in the past two decades, this book identifies two contrasting conceptions of the nature or inherent workings of molecular life as driving this turn. On the one hand, political notions of insecurity have been shaped by the contingent or random nature of molecular life. On the other, the identification of molecular life’s constant biological dynamics supports and makes possible the development and stockpiling of effective medical countermeasures. This study is one of the few to take seriously the conceptual implications that the detailed empirical workings of biotechnology have on security practices today. This book will be of much interest to students of security studies, bio-politics, life sciences, global governance, and International Relations in general.
Funding
Biotechnology and global health security: the fight against infectious diseases; G3038; LEVERHULME TRUST; ECF-2020-292
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Other
Publisher
RoutledgeExternal DOI
Pages
196.0Place of publication
Abingdon, OxonISBN
9780367683603Series
Routledge new security studiesDepartment affiliated with
- International Relations Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2021-09-29Usage metrics
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