What the world needs right now, and what many brilliant minds are devoted to discovering, is the know-how to stop COVID-19.

A few days ago, an Australian company announced it hoped to begin human trials of a vaccine within weeks.

But in other countries, especially China and the United States, developing – and owning – a coronavirus vaccine has become a bio-tech arms race with political overtones.

Tom Steinfort reports there are fears any victories in this battle for scientific supremacy will also be seen as triumphs in the ongoing tussle for 21st century superpower domination.