Proliferatio

Proliferatio is a Latin term meaning growth, multiplication, or swelling. In modern English usage, the root appears in terms such as proliferation, and is sometimes encountered in Latin or botanical and pharmacological nomenclature as proliferatio. The word is used in two broad senses: biological growth and the spread of weapons or technologies.

In biology and medicine, proliferation describes the increase in cell number through cell division. It is a fundamental aspect of development, tissue maintenance, and healing, and is controlled by the cell cycle and signaling pathways. Dysregulated proliferation can lead to cancer or other diseases. In research, proliferation is measured using assays that detect DNA synthesis or cell division, and is used to evaluate growth factors, drugs, or genetic changes.

In geopolitics and security, proliferation refers to the spread of weapons of mass destruction and related technologies. Nuclear, chemical, and biological proliferation are addressed under international frameworks such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and IAEA safeguards, as well as export controls and diplomacy. The term is frequently qualified (e.g., nuclear proliferation) to specify the domain of concern.