Ronald Atlas is co-director of the Center for Health Hazards Preparedness at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. The Center provides training in responding to disasters, including infection control in the event of bioterrorism and medical and public health responses to pandemics. He is former President of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and currently is co-chair of the ASM Biodefense Committee. He also chairs the Wellcome Trust Pathogens, Immunology and Population Health Strategy Committee. He is chairing a National Academy of Sciences-AAAS survey project aimed at assessing awareness of and reactions to the dual use dilemma among AAAS members in the life sciences.
The National Centre for Biological Defence (NCBD) coordinates all activities regarding surveillance of biological weapons (BW) and bioter-
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C
Examples of Projects and Initiatives
RONALD ATLAS
uNIvERSITy OF LOuISvILLE, uNITED STATES
Ronald Atlas is co-director of the Center for Health Hazards Pre-
paredness at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. The Center pro-
vides training in responding to disasters, including infection control in
the event of bioterrorism and medical and public health responses to pan-
demics. He is former President of the American Society for Microbiology
(ASM) and currently is co-chair of the ASM Biodefense Committee. He
also chairs the Wellcome Trust Pathogens, Immunology and Population
Health Strategy Committee. He is chairing a National Academy of Sci-
ences-AAAS survey project aimed at assessing awareness of and reactions
to the dual use dilemma among AAAS members in the life sciences.
MARTIN IAIN BAHL, ERIK HEEGAARD, NINA STEENHARD
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR BIOLOGICAL DEFENCE, DENMARK
Summary of Activities at the National Centre
for Biological Defence, Denmark
The National Centre for Biological Defence (NCBD) coordinates all
activities regarding surveillance of biological weapons (BW) and bioter-
NOTE: This appendix contains material provided by participants in the 2nd International
Forum and has been edited only to provide a common format and editorial style.
7
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8 APPENDIX C
rorism at Statens Serum Institut. The center constitutes the point of con-
tact for both national and international BW alarms, requests and sample
analysis. NCBD houses the national preparedness operation unit, per-
forms and develops assays for sample analysis, and is engaged in several
biodefense research projects as well as intelligence work. Furthermore, the
center is developing a biosecurity program.
NCBD participates actively in the Australia Group (AG) and has lately
been especially involved in discussions related to the misuse potential of
synthetic biology i.e., the de novo synthesis of genes or even organisms
from chemically synthesised oligonucleotides.
Tasks of the NCBD, Denmark:
• Operations (preparedness) (including analysis of samples)
• Development and testing of assays
• Biodefence research (European Union projects and national
projects)
• Development of a Biosecurity programme for Denmark
• International BW work (i.e., EU, AG, Biological and Toxin Weapons
Convention (BWC), UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540)
Biosecurity
Biosecurity legislation in Denmark is expected to be passed by March
2008 and the centre therefore has many activities within the area of bios-
ecurity research and development (R&D).
Our activities within this area have focused on developing objective
risk models for assessing the BW potential of various pathogens. We are
currently working on an objective risk assessment model for sensitive
equipment, technologies and know-how. Furthermore, we are outlining
an implementation plan for biosecurity, including awareness activities
and codes of conduct.
ALExANDRE BARTSEv
OECD, FRANCE
OECD Best Practice Guidelines on Biosecurity
Innovations derived from research on pathogenic microorganisms
promise astounding benefits in health, agriculture and other domains
of economic activity. The tremendous advances in biology, biotechnol-
ogy, genomics, proteomics, synthetic biology and bioinformatics in recent
years are almost certain to lead to improved health and well-being. Some
such biological resources employed in (R&D) for diagnostics, vaccines
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APPENDIX C
and therapeutics, however, possess capacity for dual use; they may be
misused to develop biological weapons. Research facilities entrusted with
possession of such dual use materials have a responsibility to comply
with biosecurity measures that are designed to prevent loss or theft and
thereby reduce the probability of a bioterrorist attack.
The OECD has provided a forum for its member countries to engage
in a dialogue of international cooperation with a view to produce best
practice that helps put in place biosecurity measures for Biological
Resource Centres (BRCs), which are repositories and providers of high
quality biological materials required for R&D and production in various
areas of biotechnology.
Some BRCs might handle and exchange hazardous biological materi-
als that have a potential for so-called dual use. Society confers trust in
BRCs as custodians of such materials, demanding that responsibility be
taken for their safe keeping. In this context, culture collections have long
recognized the duties of implementing proper containment procedures
for hazardous biological material to safeguard workers against acciden-
tal exposure and acting in accordance with legislation on export controls
and transport safety measures. More recently, the menace of bioterrorism
has added a new dimension to the responsibilities inherent in operating
culture collections, namely ensuring security of biological materials with
“dual use” potential.
One of the principal challenges in addressing the issues of biosecurity
is to find a balance between biosecurity measures that might be applied
to BRCs or other research facilities and the access to hazardous biological
materials that forms the base for delivering biotechnology innovations.
To qualify the intricacies of such balance, in 2007 the OECD delivered
the Best Practice Guidelines on Biosecurity for BRCs, which are intended to
ensure security of all types of biological materials held by BRCs (e.g.,
microorganism- and human-derived) in proportion to the risk they pres-
ent, and thereby marginalize any obstacle that BRCs might face in carry-
ing out their usual operations.
JANE CALvERT
uNIvERSITy OF EDINBuRGH, uNITED KINGDOM
Systems Biology
Jane Calvert has been working for the last two years on the social
dimensions of the new field of systems biology. She has been interviewing
systems biologists, and has spent time at three systems biology laborato-
ries. Dr. Calvert is planning to continue this work at the systems biology
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00 APPENDIX C
centers in Edinburgh and the Imperial College London. Both of these
centers also have interests in synthetic biology.
Her main areas of interest in systems biology are:
• the epistemic aspirations of the field
• interdisciplinarity and disciplinary identity
Publication: O’Malley, M.A., J. Calvert, and J. Dupre. 2007. The socioethi-
cal study of systems biology. American Journal of Bioethics 7(4):67-78.
Synthetic Biology
Calvert’s interests in synthetic biology have grown out of her inter-
ests in systems biology. She is a member of the UK’s Royal Academy of
Engineering working party on synthetic biology, and she is also part of
two synthetic biology research networks, which bring together natural
and social scientists across the United Kingdom.
Calvert’s areas of interest in synthetic biology are:
• the relationship between systems biology and synthetic biology
• the relationship between biology and engineering in synthetic
biology
• the treatment of complexity and its necessity for living systems
• modularity and open source in synthetic biology
• understandings of ”nature” in synthetic biology
• the role of social scientists in synthetic biology
Publication: O’Malley, M., A. Powell, J. Davies, and J. Calvert. 2008. Knowl-
edge-making distinctions in synthetic biology. BioEssays 30(1):57-65.
Intellectual Property in the Emerging Life Sciences
Calvert has been working for several years on intellectual property
(IP) issues in genomics and genetics and she is interested in pursuing
those issues further relation to both systems biology and synthetic biol-
ogy. She is interested in attempts to patent emergent biological systems
and in the applicability of open source principles to the biosciences.
Publication: Calvert, J. 2007. Patenting genomic objects: genes, genomes,
function and information. Science as Culture 16:207-223.
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APPENDIX C
Translational Research
Dr. Calvert is also interested in the category of ”translational research”
and asking exactly what this means in policy and scientific terms.
DAvID CARR
THE WELLCOME TRuST, uNITED KINGDOM
The Wellcome Trust is the largest charity in the United Kingdom.
It funds innovative biomedical research, in the United Kingdom and
internationally, spending around £650 million each year to support the
brightest scientists with the best ideas. The Wellcome Trust supports
public debate about biomedical research and its impact on health and
well-being.
Over recent years, the Wellcome Trust has contributed actively to pol-
icy discussions at the UK and international level on addressing risks that
life sciences research could be misused for terrorist purposes. We pub-
lished a position statement on “Bioterrorism and Biomedical Research” in
November 2003, which sets out our position on these issues.
In September 2005, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research
Council, the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust published
a joint policy statement on managing risks of misuse associated with grant
funding activities. This statement identified a series of agreed actions that
the three organizations have implemented to raise awareness and to help
ensure that any risks of misuse associated with research proposals are
considered at the grant application stage. We have introduced a standard
question on application forms, and ask both our expert referees and our
funding committees to consider any risks of misuse associated with the
proposals they review.
Further information on our policy work in this area can be found at:
www.wellcome.ac.uk/Aboutus/Policy/index.htm.
GEORGE CHAKHAvA
TBILISI STATE MEDICAL uNIvERSITy, REPuBLIC OF GEORGIA
My group focuses on biosecurity issues and national policy as it relates
to health and biological sciences. These two areas have melded together
in a number of ways since 2006, after avian flu attacks. First, there was
a dramatic increase in research on bioterrorism threat agents including
anthrax, tularemia, and others. One of the main topics of our interests are
also neuroinfections caused by Herpes and Bunya viruses, slow viruses
and other interested agents. With this increase came the frightening fact
that we have also dramatically increased the number of scientists who
have access to and the knowledge of how to handle these agents. Second,
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02 APPENDIX C
what we have not seen is a serious commitment to increasing our nation’s
public health infrastructure to handle emergencies, including the threat
of a pandemic outbreak of influenza. This is absolutely essential, not just
for the nation’s national security as it pertains to bioterrorism, but for all
public health emergencies.
We seek contacts with other universities, societies and institutions to
collaborate on joint projects in this field: building a “culture of responsibil-
ity” (education and awareness raising, codes of conduct, etc.).
DONGLI CHEN
CHINA ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT
ASSOCIATION, CHINA
The Biosecurity Program in the China Arms Control and Disarma-
ment Association has joint projects with Beijing STS Advisory Center.
Current projects include:
• Policy study on strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention;
• Research and dissemination of international and national policies
on biological non-proliferation and export control;
• Impact of bioterrorism on bio-arms control and biosecurity;
• Training and education on biosecurity and dual use issues of bio-
technology. The project aims to improve awareness of officials, scien-
tists, students and other people from government; medical institutions;
research institutions; universities; and industry. This is the emphasis of
our current activities.
PETER CLEvESTIG
STOCKHOLM INTERNATIONAL PEACE
RESEARCH INSTITuTE (SIPRI), SWEDEN
Dr. Peter Clevestig (Sweden) is a researcher in the Chemical and
Biological Warfare Programme of the SIPRI Nonproliferation and Export
Controls Project. He is studying the role and responsibility of the Swed-
ish biomedical research community in preventing acts of mass-impact
terrorism (funded by the Swedish Emergency Management Agency). The
main objective of his project is to raise awareness of biosecurity issues
in life science research at academic institutions. He is also developing
documentation on biosecurity for use by researchers, heads of laboratories
and laboratory management. An additional goal is to review how dual
use research of concern is reviewed and assessed from initial conception
through to final publication. Dr. Clevestig also has interests in the devel-
oping field of microbial forensics in investigating bio-related terrorism
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APPENDIX C
and crimes, as well as how emerging fields within life science research
are considered from the perspective of dual use and biosecurity. A virolo-
gist, Dr. Clevestig holds a doctorate in Infection Biology through his work
on HIV-1 in vertical transmission from the Department of Microbiology,
Tumor, and Cell Biology at the Karolinska Institute. He also holds a B.Sc.
in biomedical laboratory science and B.M.Sc. in biomedical laboratory
science. Before joining SIPRI, Dr. Clevestig was administrator of the Karo-
linska Institute Biosafety Committee and has been an active member of
the Nordic Biosafety Network.
OTTORINO COSIvI AND EMMANuELLE TuERLINGS
BIORISK REDuCTION FOR DANGEROuS PATHOGENS TEAM,
DEPARTMENT OF EPIDEMIC AND PANDEMIC ALERT AND
RESPONSE, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIzATION (WHO)
Life Science Research and Development for Global Health Security
The overall goal of the project is to raise awareness and provide infor-
mation and guidance to WHO Member States on the possible options for
risk management to address dual use life science R&D. It underlines the
importance of carrying out life science R&D for improving public health
and, at the same time, highlights the necessity of understanding that
access to, and research on, any type of dangerous agent or new agents
may pose risks to public health and raise ethical and security concerns.
It therefore aims at involving the public health community on this issue
because poorly designed risk management measures will have implica-
tions for public health.
The issue is a cross-cutting one—it involves those working with dan-
he
gerous pathogens but also those working on health research policy, col-
laboration and support, global health security and ethics. Hence our
partnership with WHO departments and external experts that reflect such
expertise.
The project started in July 2004 with a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan
Foundation. The following phase (2005-2006) of the project was finan-
cially supported by the Sloan Foundation and the Ford Foundation. A
third phase started (2007-2009) with the support of the Sloan Foundation.
Others have expressed interest in financially supporting the project.
Main Achievements
• Establishment of an international network of experts on this subject
and in-house collaboration with other WHO programs.
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• Publication of working paper identifying the issues from a public
health perspective (2005).1
• Meeting of a Scientific Working Group to provide guidance on the
project activities and publication of the meeting report (October 2006). 2
• WHO co-sponsorship with the U.S. Government of the interna-
tional meeting hosted by the U.S. National Science Advisory Board for
Biosecurity (NSABB) "International Roundtable on Dual Use Life Sciences
Research," Bethesda, MD, February 24-27, 2007.
• Organization and coordination of an online consultation (question-
naire posted on WHO Web site) to receive feedback on the project activi-
ties (June-September 2007).3
• Organization of a regional workshop on "Research Policy and
Management of Risks in Life Science Research for Global Health Secu-
rity,” Bangkok, Thailand, December 10-12, 2007 (in collaboration with our
WHO Regional Offices for South-East Asia and for the Western Pacific and
support from WHO departments on Ethics, Equity, Trade and Human
Rights and Research Policy Cooperation).4
• Outreach activities to raise awareness about the project included
publications5 and contributions to more than 30 international meetings
and workshops. Technical support was also provided through the col-
1 WHO (World Health Organization). 2005. Life Science Research: Opportunities and Risks
for Public Health. Geneva: World Health Organization. WHO/CDS/CSR/LYO/2005.20.
Available at: http//www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/deliberate/WHO_CDS_CSR_LYO_
200_20/en/index.html.
2 WHO (World Health Organization). 2007. Scientific Working Group on Life Science Research
and Global Health Security: Report of the First Meeting. Geneva: WHO. WHO/CDS/EPR/2007.4.
Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/deliberate/WHO_CDS_EPR_2007_.
3 Online consultation: Scientific working group report feedback form. Available at: http://
www.who.int/csr/bioriskreduction/lifescience_project/en/index.html. Accessed on December 11,
2008.
4 The report of the meeting is being drafted.
5Reis, A. and E. Tuerlings. 2007. Bioethics and Health Security: The use and misuse of
results of life science research. Abstract submitted for the 5th World Conference on Bio-
ethics, Gijón, May 21-25; Tuerlings, E. 2007. Reflections—Governing dual use life science
research: Opportunities and risks for public health. In A Web of Preention: The Life Sciences,
Biological Weapons and the Future Goernance of Research, B. Rappert and C. McLeish, eds.
London: Earthscan; Tuerlings, E., and C. McLeish. 2004. Is risk assessment a useful method
to govern dual use research? Discussion Paper. 21st Pugwash CBW Workshop: The BWC
New Process and the Sixth Review Conference, Geneva, Switzerland, December 4-5; WHO
(World Health Organization). 2005. Life Science Research: Opportunities and Risks for
Public Health. WHO/CDS/CSR/LYO/2005.20. Geneva: WHO. Available at: http//www.who.
int/csr/resources/publications/deliberate/WHO_CDS_CSR_LYO_200_20/en/index.html; WHO
(World Health Organization). 2007. Scientific Working Group on Life Science Research and
Global Health Security: Report of the First Meeting. Geneva: WHO. Available at: http://www.
who.int/csr/resources/publications/deliberate/WHO_CDS_EPR_2007_.
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APPENDIX C
laboration with WHO biosafety and laboratory biosecurity workshops in
Iran (October 2006) and Kenya (May 2007).
Forthcoming Activities (2008-2009)
In collaboration with the scientific working group and other WHO
departments, the project is now developing a draft guidance document
that will complement the two previous project publications. The docu-
ment will provide guidance on the process to assess national needs and
capacities (i.e., how to evaluate needs and capacities to address such
risks) and will provide a framework of possible options to manage the
risks from a public health perspective (i.e., options will include biosafety
and laboratory biosecurity, research policy, and ethical frameworks). The
project will also develop technical materials to provide training. This will
be done in collaboration with external partners.
To develop the draft guidance and the training, the project is expected
to hold two meetings. One meeting will be to review existing risk man-
agement practices on the risks posed by life science research and inform
the guidance document development. The other meeting, the second
meeting of the scientific working group, will be to review the progress of
the project, including the final draft guidance and other materials.
Additional outreach activities will be done through non-WHO publi-
cations and through contributions to international meetings. For instance,
the project will continue its collaboration with the WHO project on Bio-
safety and Laboratory Biosecurity and will contribute to their regional
workshops. Similarly, it will contribute to relevant meetings organized by
national academies of sciences and other external partners.
ROBIN COuPLAND
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS (ICRC)
The “Web of Prevention”—A Call for Synergy of Action to
Prevent Poisoning and Deliberate Spread of Infectious Disease
The International Committee of the Red Cross launched a Public
Appeal in September 2002 on “Biotechnology, Weapons and Humanity.”
The Appeal carried three messages: first, it drew attention to potential
risks brought by advances in life sciences and biotechnology; second,
it underscored the legal rules—both national and international—which
might apply to poisoning and deliberate spread of infectious disease; and
third, it identified responsibilities of both governments and the scientific
community to ensure that such advances are used only for the benefit of
humanity.
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The possible measures to reduce the risk of poisoning and deliber-
ate spread of disease lie in multiple domains, e.g., disease surveillance,
criminal law, public health preparedness, international law, codes of con-
duct, education, etc. Each such measure is necessary but not, in itself,
sufficient to reduce this risk. This means that all preventive measures
work to enhance each other that is, there is a synergy of action or “Web
of Prevention.” This is a base concept of the ICRC’s initiative. The Web of
Prevention makes obvious the links between different agencies working
on issues related to biological weapons or chemical weapons, for example,
police, scientists, nongovernmental organizations and diplomats. It also
discourages compartmentalized thinking and action by different disci-
plines. Codes of conduct and education within the scientific community
only make sense if seen as part of the Web of Prevention.
JOHN CROWLEy
uNITED NATIONS EDuCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC
AND CuLTuRAL ORGANIzATION (uNESCO)
John Crowley is Chief of Section responsible for science and technol-
ogy in the Division of Ethics of Science and Technology of UNESCO’s
Sector for Social and Human Sciences (SHS). He is also editor of the Inter
national Social Science Journal. He was previously (2005-2007) responsible
for SHS information, communication and publications. Before joining
UNESCO in 2003, Dr. Crowley worked as an economist in the oil industry
(1988-1995) and as an academic political scientist at the French National
Political Science Foundation (1995-2002). His research interests cover a
number of areas in political theory and comparative politics including, in
the areas relevant to his UNESCO responsibilities, environmental ethics
and political technologies of securitization.
The section of which Dr. Crowley is head is responsible for three
components of UNESCO’s programme in the ethics of science and
technology:
• Science ethics, including in particular international and interdisci-
plinary cooperation on the development of codes of conduct for scientific
activity, building on the 1974 UNESCO Recommendation on the Status
of Scientific Researchers and on the outcomes of the 1999 World Science
Conference;
• Environmental ethics, with particular current emphasis on climate
change;
• Ethical challenges relating to emerging technologies, including in
particular nanotechnologies, new information technologies and issues of
biocontrol.
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APPENDIX C
The section also provides the Secretariat for the World Commission
for the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST), a body
of independent experts established by UNESCO to advise the Director
General on issues requiring ethical consideration and, where appropriate,
the development of new mechanisms or instruments. In 2008-2009, the
work of COMEST, which will next meet in extraordinary session in Paris
in November 2008, will focus on science ethics and on climate change.
MALCOLM DANDO
BRADFORD uNIvERSITy, uNITED KINGDOM
In cooperation with Alex Kelle and Kathryn Nixdorff, Malcolm Dando
is developing the work they did on “Controlling Biochemical Weapons,”
looking specifically at the potential misuse of neuroscience.
With Brian Rappert he is working on awareness raising and education
for life scientists using the interactive seminar that Brian designed.
NEIL DAvISON
THE ROyAL SOCIETy, uNITED KINGDOM
The Royal Society continues to engage on dual use and biosecurity
issues through its membership of the InterAcademy Panel on Interna-
tional Issues (IAP) Biosecurity Working Group and through involvement
in UK and international workshops and meetings. The society’s standing
committee on the Scientific Aspects of International Security maintains a
strong interest in this area. Other related areas of interest include export
controls, particularly the UK government’s new Academic Technology
Approval Scheme.
GERALD EPSTEIN
CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL
STuDIES, uNITED STATES
Global Forum on Biorisks (Initiated by the Center
for Strategic and International Studies)
The deliberate use of biology for harm can be at once a public health
emergency, a crime, a terrorist incident, a disaster, a scientific investiga-
tion, and a trade/travel crisis. Moreover, the problem is inherently inter-
national, since groups based in one country can acquire resources in a
second to attack a third, with the resulting disease spreading to additional
countries and its indirect consequences being felt in yet more. Many dif-
ferent professional communities have a role in preventing such incidents,
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APPENDIX C
• Establishing and helping to maintain regional infectious disease
surveillance consortia to improve their technical capacity in rapid detec-
tion, identification and response to infectious disease outbreaks. The prin-
cipal groups being supported at present are the Middle East Consortium
for Infectious Disease Surveillance and, in cooperation with the Rock-
efeller Foundation, the Mekong Basin Disease Surveillance Network.
• Support for specific facilities and individuals in Russia aimed at
enhancing biological safety and security.
A critical element in these strands is the engagement of all sectors of
the life science community including academia, government and the pri-
vate sector. Of particular importance is seeking and encouraging public/
private partnerships to bring novel technical solutions and approaches to
help reduce biological risks along the full spectrum from naturally occur-
ring events, through accidents or negligence in laboratories to deliberately
induced disease outbreaks.
For more information, please see www.ghsi.org and www.iclscharter.org.
RALF TRAPP
INDEPENDENT CONSuLTANT
Ralph Trapp is an independent consultant on disarmament of chemi-
cal and biological weapons. He advises the OPCW on the preparation
of the Second CWC Review Conference and acts as legal coordinator of
the European Union (EU) joint action in support of the BWC (working
through the Biological Weapons Prevention Project in Geneva).
KOOS vAN DER BRuGGEN
ROyAL NETHERLANDS ACADEMy OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
A Code of Conduct for Biosecurity in the
Netherlands: An Example to Be Followed?
The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science asked the
Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) to provide
it with advice and input for a national Biosecurity Code of Conduct for
scientists, as recommended by the BWC, which was ratified in 1972. The
request arose in part from the KNAW’s active contribution to the State-
ment on Biosecurity issued by the InterAcademy Panel in 2005.
If a code of conduct is to have the intended effect, it must reflect the
experience and practice of the relevant actors. It was therefore decided
to establish a focus group whose members would make comments and
suggestions based on their practical experience as researchers and policy
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APPENDIX C
makers. The first step of the project was to conduct a survey of measures
already taken by central governments, fellow academies and research
institutions in other countries, including the United States and the United
Kingdom. A further survey was made of current legislation and existing
codes of conduct for biotechnology and microbiology with relevance for
biosecurity. The findings of these surveys were used to identify how the
adoption of a code of conduct can help to ensure that biosecurity issues are
effectively addressed in scientific research. The Dutch Biosecurity Code of
Conduct, published in October 2007, is accompanied by an explanatory
memorandum and a background review, which were also submitted to
the working group and the focus group for comment.
The aim of this code of conduct is to prevent life sciences research or
its application from directly or indirectly contributing to the development,
production or stockpiling of biological weapons, as described in the BWC,
or to any other misuse of biological agents and toxins. Given this aim
different target groups can be distinguished, varying from professionals
engaged in the performance of biological, biomedical, biotechnological
and other life sciences research to funding organizations and authors,
editors and publishers of life sciences publications. The Code of Conduct
on Biosecurity is intended to make all these groups aware of the potential
dual use of the results of biological research and to make them follow
some basic principles that can reduce the risks.
How this process of this awareness raising on biosecurity issues can
be organized will be elaborated and explained on the basis of the Dutch
example. In the international context of the 2nd International Forum on
Biosecurity attention will be paid to the question if and how the Dutch
Code of Conduct on Biosecurity can be an example to be followed for
other countries.
CARRIE WOLINETz
FEDERATION OF AMERICAN SOCIETIES FOR
ExPERIMENTAL BIOLOGy (FASEB), uNITED STATES
FASEB Engagement in Dual use Research Issues
The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology com-
prises 21 scientific societies representing more than 80,000 biomedical
researchers. FASEB’s mission is to advance biological science through col-
laborative advocacy for research policies that promote scientific progress
and education and lead to improvements in human health. Our societies’
members represent both basic and clinical researchers, primarily based in
the United States but with a rapidly growing international membership
as well.
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8 APPENDIX C
Dual Use/NSABB Subcommittee: FASEB’s policy development process
occurs through its Science Policy Committee, which functions through
subcommittees or working groups of experts. In response to the U.S.
National Science Advisory Board on Biosecurity’s proposed oversight
framework, FASEB formed a subcommittee to address dual use issues
generally and the NSABB proposal specifically. The chair of that subcom-
mittee, Dr. Avrum Gotlieb, participated in the November dual use meeting
organized by the Polish Academy of Sciences (see above). The subcommit-
tee and staff continue to monitor and respond to dual use issues as they
arise and develop policy statements as appropriate. FASEB has worked to
raise awareness of dual use research issues through periodic publications
in society newsletters, as well as our own electronic newsletter.
Related Actiities: We have surveyed the FASEB leadership and mem-
bership about dual use research issues and have found very low levels of
awareness. Respondents suggested that scientific meetings would serve
as a valuable outreach tool, although this conflicts with our experience.
Typically, the attendance at policy sessions during society meetings is
fairly low. Moreover, FASEB member societies have their own priorities
for the limited policy sessions at scientific meetings and dual use research
was identified as a low policy priority. FASEB has supplied a number of
informative articles on dual use research and the activities of NSABB for
society newsletters, as well as our own electronic newsletter, the FASEB
Washington Update. In addition, FASEB has been actively engaged indi-
vidually and with coalition partners in policy development on a number
of related issues, including deemed exports, visa issues, and Select Agent
regulations.
THE INTERACADEMy PANEL ON INTERNATIONAL ISSuES (IAP)
The IAP, founded in 1993, is a global network of 100 science acad-
emies in partnership designed “to help its members develop the tools they
need to participate effectively in science policy discussions and decision
making.” The current co-chairs are Chen Zhu (Minister of Health, China)
and Howard Alper (RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sci-
ences of Canada). More information can be found on the IAP Web site
at http://www.interacademies.net/. The IAP Executive Council established a
Biosecurity Working Group (BWG) in 2004 to coordinate its activities in
this area; its members are the academies of China, Cuba, the Netherlands
(chair), Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The BWG
has undertaken a number of activities related to dual use issues.
In March 2005, the IAP, the International Council for Science (ICSU),
the InterAcademy Medical Panel (IAMP) and The National Academies of
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the United States hosted the International Forum on Biosecurity in Como,
Italy. The Forum was designed to serve as a convening and coordinating
mechanism to share information about activities under way or being
planned and to broaden the debate and advance the awareness in the life
sciences and biomedical research communities—and in the international
scientific community more generally—about the challenges posed by the
“dual use” dilemma.
In December 2005, the IAP released a Statement on Biosecurity, which
has been endorsed by over 70 national science academies. The statement
provides principles for academies and other scientific bodies preparing
codes of conduct that address five fundamental issues facing scientists
working in the biosciences—awareness; safety and security; education
and information; accountability; and oversight.
In September 2006, IAP, ICSU, and the Royal Society hosted the work-
shop Scientific and Technological Developments Relevant to the Biologi-
cal and Toxin Weapons Convention. The workshop brought together 84
scientific and policy experts from 23 countries to consider recent develop-
ments in the biosciences and their potential implications. A statement and
report were produced from the meeting that aimed to inform delegates at
the Sixth Review Conference of the BWC.
THE INTERACADEMy MEDICAL PANEL (IAMP)
The InterAcademy Medical Panel, a global network of academies of
science and medicine, is committed to improving health world-wide. Cur-
rently the IAMP has 64 members; more information can be found on its
Web site (http://www.iamponline.org/). The current co-chairs are Guy de
Thé, Académie de Médicine, France, and Anthony MBewu, Academy of
Sciences of South Africa. Its activities focus on institutional collaboration
to strengthen the role of all academies to alleviate the health burdens of
the world’s poorest people; build scientific capacity for health; and pro-
vide independent scientific advice on promoting health science and health
care policy to national governments and global organizations.
THE INTERNATIONAL uNION OF BIOCHEMISTRy
AND MOLECuLAR BIOLOGy (IuBMB)
The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology—
founded in 1955—unites biochemists and molecular biologists in 66
countries that belong to the Union as Adhering or Associate Adhering
Bodies, representing biochemical societies, national research councils, or
academies of sciences. The IUBMB is devoted to promoting research and
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education in biochemistry and molecular biology throughout the world
and gives particular attention to areas where the subject is still in its early
development. It achieves this in several ways.
Every three years the IUBMB sponsors an International Congress of
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Cosponsorship of these Congresses
by Regional Organizations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is
an increasing trend. These Congresses are major international meetings
where current research in all fields of biochemistry and molecular biology
is considered. Thousands of individual research projects are presented in
poster sessions and leading investigators from many nations survey their
fields and describe their own research in symposia and plenary lectures.
Since 1992 IUBMB has also sponsored IUBMB Conferences and Special
Meetings, held in the years between the International Congresses.
The IUBMB provides financial support for international symposia on
biochemical and molecular biological research topics of current interest. It
organizes or sponsors workshops, symposia and training sessions on bio-
chemical and molecular biological education and provides free textbooks
and journals to training institutions in developing nations. The IUBMB
also funds short-term fellowships for younger biochemists and molecular
biologists to travel to other institutions to perform research not possible
in their own laboratories, and provides Travel Fellowships for young sci-
entists to attend its Congresses. Sponsorship of meetings and fellowships
is restricted to regions that belong to the IUBMB.
As well as reaching biochemists through its own meetings, the IUBMB
works closely with the four regional organizations that unite the bio-
chemical societies of Asia and Oceania (Federation of Asian and Oceanian
Biochemists and Molecular Biologists), Europe (Federation of European
Biochemical Societies) the Americas (Pan-American Association for Bio-
chemistry and Molecular Biology) and Africa (Federation of African Soci-
eties of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology). Indeed all four are linked
formally with the IUBMB as Associated Regional Organizations and three
of them receive substantial financial support from the IUBMB. The Inter-
national Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, the
International Society for Neurochemistry, the International Organization
for Free Radical Research, and the International Society of Vitamins and
Related Biofactors are also Associated Organizations of IUBMB.
Reaching individual biochemists is also the purpose of another very
important function of the IUBMB, that of publishing news, reviews, infor-
mation, original research, and nomenclature. Trends in Biochemical Sciences
(TiBS) is seen monthly by over 100,000 readers, keeping them informed
of research progress across the broad field of biochemistry and molecular
biology, as well as of news of meetings, people and biochemical events.
Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry publishes original research find-
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ings and reviews in the expanding domain of the practical applications
of the subject. IUBMB Life expedites the publication of short communica-
tions, identified by their novelty and the need for urgent dissemination.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education is dedicated to publishing
articles, reviews and editorials to assist the teaching of biochemistry and
molecular biology to science and medical students throughout the world.
BioEssays, cosponsored by the IUBMB and seven other ICSU biological
Unions, is the monthly current-awareness journal that displays progress
across the fields of molecular, cellular and developmental biology. BioFac
tors publishes reviews and original communications on growth factors
and regulatory substances. Molecular Aspects of Medicine publishes reviews
that aim to link clinicians and biomedical scientists.
The IUBMB is one of 29 Scientific Unions affiliated with the Interna-
tional Council of Science, an umbrella organization for scientists world-
wide. ICSU was created in 1931 to encourage international scientific
activity, to affirm the rights of scientists without regard to race, religion,
political philosophy, ethnic origin, sex or language to join in international
scientific affairs for the benefit of mankind. The IUBMB has been a mem-
ber of ICSU since 1955 (until 1991 as IUB). The IUBMB representative
serves as a member of the General Assembly of ICSU and ex-officio takes
part in the work of the ICSU working group of the Biological Sciences.
Through ICSU the IUBMB has been able to generate broad and often
highly productive contacts with other international bodies, including
some joint programs.
Further information is available online at www.iubmb.org.
THE INTERNATIONAL uNION OF
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (IuBS)
The International Union of Biological Sciences is a non-governmental,
non-profit, scientific network founded in 1919. The membership of IUBS
presently consists of 44 Ordinary Members, adhering through Academies
of Sciences, National Research Councils, national science associations or
similar organizations, as well as 80 Scientific Members, all of which are
international scientific associations, societies or commissions focusing
on a wide array of biological disciplines. IUBS was one of the founding
unions of the International Council for Science, and IUBS continues to
contribute to the work of ICSU’s scientific committees and programs. The
objectives of the IUBS are: to promote the study of biological sciences;
to initiate, facilitate and coordinate research and other scientific activi-
ties necessitating international, interdisciplinary cooperation; to ensure
the discussion and dissemination of the results of cooperative research,
particularly in connection with IUBS scientific programs; and to support
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the organization of international conferences and assist in the publica-
tion of their reports. IUBS organizes triennial General Assemblies, which
are flanked by a scientific symposium organized in cooperation with the
National IUBS Committee of the host country. It also conducts scientific
programs, which currently include Biological Diversity, Integrative Biol-
ogy, Biological Education, Bioethics, Integrative Climate Change Biology,
Bio-Energy, Biology & Traditional Knowledge and the 2009 Darwin Cel-
ebration Year. IUBS publications include the quarterly periodical Biology
International, the IUBS Monograph Series, the Methodology Manual Series
and the Proceedings of the General Assemblies.
Further information is available online at www.iubs.org.
THE INTERNATIONAL uNION OF
MICROBIOLOGICAL SOCIETIES (IuMS)
The International Union of Microbiological Societies is one of the 29
Scientific Unions of ICSU. It was founded in 1927 as the International Soci-
ety of Microbiology, and became the International Association of Micro-
biological Societies affiliated with the International Union of Biological
Sciences (IUBS) as a division in 1967. It acquired independence in 1980
and became a Union Member of ICSU in 1982. IUMS currently has 113
member societies and 14 associate members representing well over 100
countries. Members are National Societies and Associations for Microbi-
ologists and associate members are other institutions with an interest in
microbiological and connected sciences.
The objectives of the Union are to promote the study of microbiologi-
cal sciences internationally: initiate, facilitate and coordinate research and
other scientific activities that involve international cooperation; ensure the
discussion and dissemination of the results of international conferences,
symposia and meetings and assist in the publication of their reports; rep-
resent microbiological sciences in ICSU; and maintain contact with other
international organizations.
The major goal of IUMS is to promote research and the open exchange
of scientific information for advancement of the health and welfare of
humankind and the environment and strongly discourages any uses of
knowledge and resources to the contrary. In particular, the IUMS strives
to promote ethical conduct of research and training in the areas of bio-
security and biosafety so as to prevent use of microorganisms as biological
weapons and therefore to protect the public’s health and to promote world
peace. IUMS seeks that all its member societies adopt or develop a Code
of Ethics to prevent misuse of scientific knowledge and resources. The
IUMS Code of Ethics Against Misuse of Scientific Knowledge, Research
and Resources is available from the IUMS Web site at http://www.iums.org/
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about/about_usCodeethics.html. The Code has been approved by the Execu-
tive Board and the approval of the member societies has been requested.
Further information is available online at: www.iums.org.
THE INTERNATIONAL uNION OF PuRE
AND APPLIED CHEMISTRy (IuPAC)
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry serves to
advance the worldwide aspects of the chemical sciences and to contrib-
ute to the application of chemistry in the service of humankind. As a
scientific, international, nongovernmental and objective body, IUPAC can
address many global issues involving the chemical sciences.
IUPAC was formed in 1919 by chemists from industry and academia.
Over nearly nine decades, the Union has succeeded in fostering world-
wide communications in the chemical sciences and in uniting academic,
industrial and public sector chemistry in a common language. IUPAC has
long been recognized as the world authority on chemical nomenclature,
terminology, standardized methods for measurement, atomic weights
and many other critically evaluated data. The IUPAC continues to spon-
sor major international meetings that range from specialized scientific
symposia to CHEMRAWN (CHEMical Research Applied to World Needs)
meetings with societal impact. During the Cold War, IUPAC became an
important instrument for maintaining technical dialogue among scientists
throughout the world.
IUPAC is an association of bodies, National Adhering Organizations,
which represent the chemists of different member countries. There are 45
National Adhering Organizations, and 20 other countries are also linked
to IUPAC in the status of Associate National Adhering Organizations.
Almost 1,000 chemists throughout the world are engaged on a voluntary
basis in the scientific work of IUPAC, primarily through projects, which
are components of eight divisions and several other committees.
Further information is available online at: www.iupac.org.
THE INTERNATIONAL uNION FOR PuRE
AND APPLIED BIOPHySICS (IuPAB)
The International Union for Pure and Applied Biophysics is a mem-
ber of the ICSU family. Affiliated to it are the national adhering bodies
of 50 countries. Its main objectives are to support research and teaching
in biophysics, promote communication between the various branches of
biophysics and allied subjects, and to encourage cooperation between the
societies that are interested in the advancement of biophysics in all of its
aspects.
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In order to achieve these objectives, the Union organizes triennial
International Congresses and General Assemblies, which will next be
held in China in 2011. IUPAB has four Task Forces concerned with major
areas of biophysics: Bioinformatics, Capacity Building and Education in
Biophysics, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance in Biological Sciences, and Bio-
medical Spectroscopy. The Task Forces also arrange specialist meetings
either associated with the Congresses or, more commonly, in the intervals
between Congresses. The Union also supports conferences, schools and
workshops, with priority given to events that will promote biophysics in
the developing countries and that will facilitate the participation of young
scientists in the conferences that it supports.
Further information is available online at www.iupab.org.
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
The National Academies of the United States comprises the National
Academy of Sciences (NAS), the National Academy of Engineering (NAE),
the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the National Research Council (NRC).
Some of the most relevant international Biosecurity work includes:
• The International Biosecurity Project works to promote imple-
mentation of the international recommendations of the 2004 NRC report
Biotechnology Research in an Age of Terrorism. A collaboration among sev-
eral units at the National Academies, the project’s overarching goal is to
develop and promote more effective international strategies to reduce the
risk that advances in life sciences research could be misused. A key ele-
ment involves working with international partners―other academies and
international scientific organizations, as well as a wide range of intergov-
ernmental and nongovernmental organizations.
• The Biological Threats Panel brings together National Academy of
Sciences Committee on International Security and Arms Control (CISAC)
and non-CISAC experts to address the scientific and technical dimensions
of biological weapons, bioterrorism, issues related to successful imple-
mentation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, biosecurity,
and other contemporary challenges related to rapid growth in biotech-
nology. The Panel coordinates across the Academies with ongoing efforts
and develops its activities in partnership programs inside and outside the
Academies. The Biological Threats Panel continues work started in 1986
by CISAC's Biological Weapons Working Group (BWWG), whose initial
focus was on continuing concerns about Soviet compliance with the Bio-
logical Weapons Convention. In the mid-1990s the BWWG played a lead-
ing role in fostering U.S. government support for cooperative research
programs between American scientists and scientists from former Soviet
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biological weapons research institutes. Recently CISAC’s Biological
Threats Panel has established counterpart groups through the Russian
Academy of Sciences CISAC and with the Chinese Biological Scientist’s
Group of the Chinese People’s Association of Peace and Disarmament.
• The Board on International Scientific Organizations (BISO) exam-
ines issues related to the conduct of science, evaluates opportunities for
international collaboration in scientific research, and strengthens U.S.
participation in international scientific, engineering, and medical organi-
zations. The Board also oversees a network of more than 20 U.S. national
committees corresponding to ICSU scientific member bodies, seeks com-
mittee input on issues confronting ICSU and its bodies, and informs them
of the input NAS is considering in its role as a national member of ICSU.
Scientific unions in the biological and chemical sciences with which BISO
is involved include IUBS, IUBMB, IUMS, IUPAB, IUPAC, and others.
Further information about The National Academies can be found at
http://nationalacademies.org/. Information about its work in biosecurity can
be found at http://www7.nationalacademies.org/biosecurity/.
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