Zootonic Diseases and Biotech: The Story of Covid-19

1. What are zoonotic diseases?

A zoonotic disease is one whose pathogenesis is marked by the transmission of an infectious
agent from an animal to a human being. 70%-80% of all new emerging diseases worldwide are
zoonotic, including Covid-19.

2. Info about Covid 19 being a zoonotic disease

Although the exact origin story of the COVID-19 outbreak is still uncertain, it is highly likely
that the virus began as a zoonotic disease, i.e. an infectious disease caused by a pathogen that
jumped from animals to humans.

3. Implications of zoonotic disease on biotech - vaccine (red), alternatives such as lab

produced meat (white), stricter laws on wildlife trade (purple)?
CAUSES:
- Increased anthropocentric interaction between humans and animals.
- Biodiversity loss, Climate Change, Rapid Urbanisation and encroachment, Cultural
changes in food consumption, improper wildlife management.

MEASURES:
- Stricter laws on wildlife trade, through purple biotechnology.
- Alternatives such as lab produced meat, through white biotechnology.
- Formulation of drugs and vaccines, through red biotechnology.
- Sustainable agriculture and food systems through green biotechnology