This report presents the results of a horizon scanning exercise carried out by the JRC, aiming at identifying “emerging” issues displaying potentiality for dual-use research and further applications, i.e. use of civilian research outcomes for defence purposes and vice versa. The exercise allowed the identification of 14 issues, seven of which being further commented: six perceived as having very high relevance for dual-use applications in short- to mid-term (between now and ca. 10 years), plus one assessed as emerging at the longer-term. Interestingly four issues out of these seven ones fall entirely or partially under the realm of biology: “Multifunctional materials”, “CRISPR and genetic manipulations”, “Enhancing humans” and “Synthetic biology”. All together, these thematic issues, actually interrelated, show that the importance of the manipulation of the living, including that of human bodies, with all its aspects, positive and negative, bright and dark, defensive and offensive, is expected to increase in time and impact.JRC.E.7-Knowledge for Security and Migratio
