[wnkrshm]

These kinds of experiments are going to be done either way - for example gain-of-function research on animal smallpox (which usually doesn't kill and can't infect humans) to make it lethal.

Experts on the matter (I read a book recounting smallpox research, not a domain expert myself [0]) were concerned more about the publishing of that research than about the research being done, since proliferation is deemed very easy in the field. You don't need resources as with nuclear weapons to reproduce research like that.

(Edit: typo)

[0] The Demon in the Freezer by Richard Preston

[rumpelstinkin]

it can't be that easy, there's plenty of groups that would routinely use something like that for terrorism etc. It hasn't happened yet, so it must be more difficult than it looks?

[wnkrshm]

I'm only citing experts on the matter (to paraphrase a quote: "all that is needed is access to a modern university's biology lab") but I think the reason we're not seeing attacks like that is that you cannot control a bioweapon - and everyone who is able to make one knows that.

[matkoniecz]

Stopping public funding of that would reduce risk.