"...because he believes that motivated actors will be able to synthesize smallpox in the next 20 years, and that the world needs to be ready..." So the essence

"...because he believes that motivated actors will be able to synthesize smallpox in the next 20 years, and that the world needs to be ready..." So the essence is "we are doing it first, becuase otherwise others will be doing it first"... So the race who will come first there continues... No (further) comment...