The deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council has raised concerns about the United States potentially triggering a “zombie apocalypse.” Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president, warned that American biological research advancements could lead to catastrophic outbreaks similar to those depicted in the popular TV series ‘The Last of Us’.
In an essay discussing the dangers posed by new technology, Medvedev highlighted the risks associated with biotechnology developments and US military research, suggesting they could result in devastating epidemics. Notably, he did not address the reported use of nerve agents and poisons by Russia’s President Putin against individuals like Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.
Recent findings by scientists at Porton Down, the UK’s secretive defense lab in Wiltshire, revealed the presence of epibatidine, a potent neurotoxin naturally found in South American dart frogs, in smuggled biological samples linked to Navalny’s death. Medvedev expressed concerns in his essay that the American biological network of approximately 400 laboratories worldwide could potentially spread dangerous diseases, a claim dismissed by Western governments as misinformation.
In his essay, Medvedev suggested that the US military biological network, involving testing in other countries, poses a significant threat to global health security. He highlighted the potential risks associated with genetic engineering and synthetic biology, emphasizing the difficulty in tracing artificially created pathogens and their potential for widespread dissemination.
Medvedev’s alarming assertions were part of a comprehensive article titled “New Technologies: A Stairway to Heaven or a Road to Hell”, where he painted a dystopian future scenario influenced by artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and autonomous weapons. He cautioned about AI’s impacts on job losses, cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, and the potential for drones to revolutionize warfare into a remote-controlled “video-game-like” environment.
Moreover, Medvedev criticized Western tech giants and governments for allegedly using digital platforms to exert control over populations through algorithms and data manipulation. Known for his strong anti-Western stance since the Ukraine invasion, Medvedev has often made provocative statements online, predicting various catastrophic scenarios for the West, including nuclear conflict and the collapse of Ukraine.
In his latest commentary, Medvedev asserted that the Ukraine crisis, which he described as fueled by anti-Russian sentiment, would eventually subside as global attention shifted towards the existential threats posed by technological advancements.