prolifération

Prolifération describes the rapid increase or spread of something, from cells to weapons stockpiles to ideas. The term comes from Latin proliferare, with the French form prolifération, and in English is usually written proliferation. It is used across disciplines to denote different phenomena that share the idea of expansion over time, often with policy or health implications.

In biology, cell proliferation refers to the process by which cells divide and multiply. It is governed by the cell cycle, growth factors, and regulatory checkpoints. Controlled proliferation is essential for development, tissue maintenance, and wound healing, while dysregulated proliferation can contribute to cancer and other diseases.

In geopolitics and security, proliferation commonly refers to the spread of weapons of mass destruction and related delivery systems—nuclear, chemical, or biological arms. Nuclear proliferation raises concerns about regional stability and deterrence. International efforts such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and IAEA safeguards, as well as export-control regimes, aim to slow or prevent proliferation and to promote verification and non-proliferation norms.

In technology and society, proliferation describes the rapid expansion of data, devices, networks, or content. This can enhance productivity and connectivity but also creates challenges in privacy, security, and information management. In ecology, proliferation can describe population booms or the rapid spread of invasive species, with ecological and economic consequences.