In conversation with Raina MacIntyre

Listen to this ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author conversation on Experience ANU SoundCloud channel

In Dark Winter, world-leading epidemiologist and biosecurity expert, Raina MacIntyre, provides insights into historical biological attacks, lab accidents and epidemics, and the COVID-19 pandemic. She reveals a recurrent theme of denial, silence and cover-up around unnatural epidemics and the powerful vested interests at play.

Using the lens of history, MacIntyre also provides a glimpse into new frontiers of biosecurity. Dark Winter outlines quantum advances in genetic engineering and synthetic biology, and a future where human genome editing and resurrection of extinct viruses might be the norm. MacIntyre argues that the solution to the existential threat we face from biotechnology will not come from scientists, but from the community having a voice in the future of the planet and humanity.

MacIntyre also explores the COVID-19 pandemic and the heated debate around its origins, and shares the analysis she has conducted in trying to determine whether it's a natural or unnatural pandemic.

'Here is what we all need - clear evidence about COVID-19, its origins, treatment, and consequences. Professor MacIntyre's conclusions are often shocking, but her only bias is in favour of the empirical truth.' - Alison Broinowski

Professor Raina MacIntyre is NHMRC Principal Research Fellow and Professor of Global Biosecurity at the University of New South Wales. She heads the Biosecurity Program at the Kirby Institute, which conducts research in epidemiology, vaccinology, bioterrorism prevention, mathematical modelling, genetic epidemiology, public health and clinical trials in infectious diseases. Professor Raina MacIntyre was recently awarded the Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science and Innovation, an award which particularly recognised her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professor Russell Gruen is Dean of the ANU College of Health and Medicine. He is a specialist trauma surgeon, and has a PhD in health services research, and post-doctorate qualifications in health policy, medical ethics and business management from Harvard. He is an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, the Academy of Medicine of Singapore, and the International Surgical Society.

The vote of thanks will be given by Professor Jane Dahlstrom , Senior Staff Specialist, Anatomical Pathology, ACT Pathology, Chair and Professor of Pathology, ANU Medical School.

This event is in association with Harry Hartog Bookshop. Books will be available for purchase on the evening in the Cultural Centre foyer. Pre-event book signings will be available from 5.30pm, and available again after the event.

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Apodcast will be made available after the event.