If sufficient information about the evolution of harmfulness is known and acted on, this approach could eventually lead to pathogens so mild we hardly notice the disease they cause. Imagine the effect of a simple change in our health ethic. What if people were encouraged to stay home if they or a family member were [...]

Though the unpredictability of biological weapons may be less important to terrorists than to war strategists, it may still be a major drawback. Even terrorists need a ballpark estimate of the damage they are likely to cause, and the sources of unpredictability are myriad. When terrorists use weapons, they are looking for a psychological effect, [...]