Several parts of Africa continue to face outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), a rare but severe illness that is often fatal. Ebola outbreaks are largely natural events linked to zoonotic (animal to human) transmission. In the recent past, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how rapidly a biological event can evolve into a major global crisis. While the exact origins of COVID-19 remain a subject of debate (was it made in laboratory or came from bats?), but the pandemic highlighted the intense risks associated with emerging infectious diseases and the need for stronger biosafety and biosecurity measures.Based on past experiences, the world has come to recognise the dangers of disease transmission from animals to humans and the broader spectrum of biological risks. However, despite increasing awareness and the existence of regulatory frameworks, some people still continue to engage in the illegal trade and movement of insects and animals. Recently, more than 1,00,000 illegal exotic cockroaches were seized by Australian authorities from a commercial breeder. In addition to the individual insects, Australian authorities have also seized more than 3,000 breeding colonies. The confiscated bugs, including Madagascar hissing cockroaches and Dubia cockroaches are estimated to be worth up to US$141,000.Breeding of species takes place owing to their unusual appearance and rarity and are known to be popular among exotic insect enthusiasts and collectors. It is a known fact that there is also demand from reptile owners, who have been using the exotic creatures as pet food.Breeders operating beyond established legal and biosecurity controlsMadagascar hissing cockroach are large species (5 to 8 cm) of cockroach known for its ability to make hissing sounds. The insect is one of the largest of all cockroach species. It is not a pest and does not infest human dwellings. The insect is docile when handled by humans and is sometimes kept as a pet. While Dubia is a medium-sized (around 4 cm) species of cockroach which is popular for feeding reptiles and amphibians because they contain a high amount of protein.Breeding of such cockroaches appears to be done illegally for profit. However, this act raises a larger question about how such activities can undermine biosafety measures. Here the breeders are operating beyond established legal and biosecurity controls and pose a major challenge to the biosecurity architecture.This incident should be viewed seriously not only by Australia, but by the international community as a whole, as it underscores the significant risks posed by the illegal wildlife trade. The introduction of non-native insect species into new environments can have far reaching ecological consequences, if they escape or are deliberately released into the wild.Such exotic species may become invasive, outcompete native organisms for resources, disrupt fragile ecosystems, and potentially introduce new diseases or pests. Preventing the entry and spread of potentially harmful species is therefore a critical component of environmental protection, biosecurity, and biodiversity conservation.For countries like India, the illegal wildlife trade remains a significant conservation and biosecurity challenge. According to the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), between April and December 2025, at least 202 wildlife crime incidents were documented across the country, with the majority involving illegal trade and trafficking of wildlife and wildlife products. These incidents included the seizure of live animals, animal body parts, and derivatives destined for domestic and international markets.Along with the impact on biodiversity, illegal wildlife trade poses broader ecological, economic, and biosecurity risks. The trafficking of live animals and exotic species increases the possibility of introducing invasive species and facilitating the transmission of zoonotic diseases across regions and borders. In the Indian context, wildlife crime is often associated with the poaching of tigers and leopards for their skins, bones, canines, and claws, as well as the poaching of elephants for ivory. These activities have long been recognised as major threats to wildlife conservation and biodiversity protection in the country.In addition, there are some instances of illegal activities involving sale of Indian Star Tortoise and animals like Pangolins and few others. Snake venom is viewed as a requirement of some party circles in India. Also, some reports indicate that live animals such as gibbons, iguanas, and exotic snakes get smuggled into India to satisfy the growing domestic luxury pet market. All these activates also fuels organised criminal networks that may get tempted to exploit gaps in enforcement and regulatory systems. The findings of a WTI report highlight the need for stronger surveillance, inter-agency cooperation, public awareness, and stricter enforcement measures to combat wildlife crime and protect both environmental and public health security.The possibility of transmission of disease from animals to humanMany states in the world including India have various stringent legal mechanism in place for handling such irregularities. Though, it is important to keep a sharp vigil since it is not only about the wildlife protection, but is also about biosafety and security. There exists a possibility of transmission of disease from animals to human which could even lead to global pandemic.At present, a rapid convergence is taking place among biotechnology, synthetic biology, genomics, pharmacology, drug development and vaccine research. Various modern digital tools, including artificial intelligence (AI) and technologies such as additive manufacturing (3D printing) are further expanding the scope of innovation and creating exceptional opportunities in healthcare and agriculture sector.These technologies offer immense benefits for medicine, agriculture, and scientific research. However, such technological advancements are also generating new challenges related to biosafety, biosecurity, ethics, dual-use research and data governance. There is a great possibility that such technologies could be used for tempering the science of biology.Today, technologies like synthetic biology and genetic engineering supported by AI tools are enabling the precise design and modification of animal and plant species, allowing scientists to edit DNA, introduce new characters, and accelerate breeding processes. CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. This is a revolutionary gene-editing tool (molecular scissors) which helps researchers to cut, replace, or delete specific segments of DNA. In plants, it is used to develop crops that resist drought and pests. In animals, it is utilised to enhance physiological traits and disease resistance.There is a possibility that modern day technologies could help in designing custom-made biological weapons. They may help in the creation of novel pathogens with heightened transmissibility, virulence, or resistance to existing medications. Such risks highlight the importance of robust biosafety and biosecurity frameworks and effective oversight mechanisms.The Australian cockroach case should be viewed much beyond a simple pest-control issue. It highlights several important dimensions of modern-day biosecurity. Such introduction of non-native species can disrupt ecological balance. If exotic cockroaches escape into the wild, they may compete with indigenous species for food and habitat, may alter ecosystem dynamics.They may act as carriers of pathogens, parasites, fungi, or microorganisms not previously present over a particular region. Essentially, the likelihood of disease transmission (low possibility) to the humans cannot be totally ruled out. Also, it is important to factor in the issues related agricultural security since it has connect with biosecurity. Any introduction of hostile species can impact crop production, livestock systems, food supply chains, and export markets.The cockroaches were supposedly intended for the pet and reptile-feed market. But it establishes the presence of a trade route possibly only at domestic level in this particular case. However, the existence of transnational illegal trade networks involving live organisms is a reality. It is important to realise that illegal biological trade can have uncontrollable security consequences.Biosecurity is not limited to pathogens, pandemics, and biological weaponsExotic Australian cockroach catch shows some characteristics of contemporary bio-risks. Such risks could be transboundary in nature and possibly the motive could be mostly commercial trade, however during such cases the possibility of accidental realise of pathogen could be not be ruled out. Such probability could be low but not zero. Any possibility of intentional release of disease also could not be ruled out. It is always difficult to detect any disease spread in their early stages and this may lead to the spread over a wider area in lesser time.For India, this incident highlights that biosecurity is not limited to pathogens, pandemics, and biological weapons. It also involves the prevention of invasive species, the regulation of wildlife and exotic species trade, and the protection of biodiversity, agriculture, and health ecosystem from new biological threats.Hence, there is a need to strengthen bio-risk situational awareness, enhance intelligence gathering on illegal biological trade, and improve monitoring of online wildlife and biological commerce. Greater emphasis on laboratory biosafety and biosecurity is essential. In addition, stronger inter-agency and international cooperation, is essential for addressing such threats.Cockroaches have been on Earth for roughly 300 to 350 million years. They have not be responsible for any pandemic, however the Australian cockroach case is not only about cockroaches but makes us think about the greater malice of illicit animals and plants trade and its possible impact on human security.Ajey Lele is a researcher and is the author of the book Institutions That Shaped Modern India: ISRO.