Annan Warns Of "Catastrophic" Biotech Danger

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned that potential dangers from the rapidly growing biotechnology industry were increasing exponentially and urged creating global safeguards. Annan, speaking in the Swiss university town, warned of "catastrophic" results if recent advances in biotechnology, including gene manipulation and work with viruses, fell into the wrong hands. "As biological research expands, and technologies become increasingly accessible, this potential for accidental or intentional harm grows exponentially," he said in the text of a speech. "Even novices working in small laboratories will be able to carry out gene manipulation." Annan's warning comes after he called for a global forum on biological terrorism, saying current treaties were too weak and governmental and commercial initiatives too scattered.