The Unique U.S.-Russian Relationship in
Biological Science and Biotechnology
RECENT EXPERIENCE AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Committee on U.S.-Russia Bioengagement
Development, Security, and Cooperation
Policy and Global Affairs
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
In cooperation with the Russian Academy of Sciences
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS
Washington, D.C.
www.nap.edu
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NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.
This study was supported by Contract/Grant No. SLMAQM-10-GR-089 between the National Academy of Sciences and the U.S. Department of State. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project.
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Advisers to the Nation on Science, Engineering, and Medicine
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COMMITTEE ON U.S.-RUSSIA ASSESSMENT OF BIOENGAGEMENT: IMPACTS, LESSONS LEARNED, AND A PATH TOWARD FUTURE COLLABORATION
Peter H. Raven (Co-Chair), Missouri Botanical Garden
Valentin V. Vlassov (Co-Chair), Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences
Kavita M. Berger, American Association for the Advancement of Science
David R. Franz, Consultant
Tatiana A. Gremyakova, International Science and Technology Center
Oleg I. Kiselev, Institute of Influenza
James W. LeDuc, Director, Galveston National Laboratory
Sergey V. Netesov, Novosibirsk State University
Peter Palese, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Richard L. Witter, U.S. Department of Agriculture (retired)
Russ Zajtchuk, Chicago Hospitals International
Sergey K. Zavriev, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Biorganic Chemistry
Staff
Glenn E. Schweitzer, National Research Council of the National Academies
Rita S. Guenther, National Research Council of the National Academies
Jacqueline Martin, National Research Council of the National Academies
Patrick Ayscue, Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Fellow v
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Acknowledgments
Tens of thousands of scientists and other specialists from the United States and Russia have participated in bilateral bioengagement activities in recent years. Their contributions to science, security, public health, agricultural productivity, environmental protection, and other important areas that sustain life have been profound. The committee is grateful for the opportunity to prepare a report on their contributions to society. The committee is particularly appreciative of the insights provided specifically for this report by many officials, scientists, and program managers who participated in the activities or witnessed their implementation in the two countries.
This report has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by the National Academies’ Report Review Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the institution in making its published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the process.
We wish to thank the following individuals for their review of this report: Olga Borisova, U.S. Embassy, Moscow; Alexander Gabibov, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry; Chaitan Khosla, Stanford University; Andrey Kitashov, Lomonosov Moscow State University; Diana Pobedinskaya, Peoples Friendship University of Russia; Matthew Rojansky, Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace; and Amy Smithson, James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.
Although the reviewers listed above have provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the conclusions or recommendations, nor did they see the final draft of the report before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Edwin Przybylowicz, Eastman Kodak Company (retired). Appointed by the National Academies, he was responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authoring committee and the institution.
Contents
1 Importance of U.S.-Russian Bioengagement
2 Ensuring Appropriate Use of Biological Assets
3 Advancing the Frontiers of Biological Research
4 Application of Science in the Public and Private Sectors
5 Programs with Regional and Global Reaches
6 Impacts of Bilateral Programs and Projects
7 Impediments in Carrying Out Approved and Funded Collaborative Projects
Appendix A Available Resources
A.1 Biographical Sketches of Committee Members
A.2 Relevant Reports of National Academies, Books, and Other Publications
Appendix B Examples of U.S.-Russian Agreements of Special Relevance for Bioengagement
Appendix C Activities in Bioengagement of Selected U.S. Government Departments and Agencies
C.2 Defense Threat Reduction Agency
C.4 Department of Health and Human Services
C.5 National Institutes of Health
C.6 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
C.7 National Science Foundation
C.8 U.S. Agency for International Development
C.9 Environmental Protection Agency
C.10 Agricultural Research Service
C.11 Fish and Wildlife Service
Appendix D Interest of Selected Russian Research Institutions with Active Bioengagement Programs
D.1 State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology, Vector
D.2 All-Russian Research Institute of Phytopathology
D.3 Research Institute of Influenza,
D.4 Selected Institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Appendix E Activities of Other Organizations
E.1 Bilateral Presidential Commission
E.2 International Science and Technology Center
E.3 Skolkovo Foundation and Innovation Center
Appendix F Other Topics of Interest
F.1 U.S.-Russian Joint Peer-Reviewed Articles, Reviews, and Conference Proceedings
F.2 Russian Research Personnel and Funding
F.3 Russia’s Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Sectors
F.4 Assessment of Developments in Agrobiotechnology in the United States and Russia
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