The Unique U.S.-Russian Relationship in Biological Science and Biotechnology Recent Experience and Future Directions (2013) / Chapter Skim
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1 Importance of U.S.-Russian Bioengagement
1 Importance of U.S.-Russian Bioengagement
Pages 23-38
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From page 23... ...
that was established in 2009 continues to signal endorsement by both governments of joint science and technology efforts in areas of common interest. As of September 2012, 6 of the BPC's 22 working groups had interests in engagement in different aspects of the life sciences.2 Major issues addressed in this report include the types and levels of support that the governments have provided to take advantage of important opportunities for mutually beneficial bioengagement.
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From page 24... ...
However, for the next decade, the number of experienced life scientists and skilled young investigators in the two countries will continue to be a significant portion of worldwide capabilities. Reflecting the importance of the life sciences, a large percentage of the global scientific work force, including both researchers and service providers, is involved in advancing the biological sciences and biotechnology.
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From page 25... ...
In Soviet times, both the United States and Russia devoted significant resources to many areas of the biological sciences that were of international interest. The United States was among the world's leaders in achieving scientific breakthroughs as the nation expanded its portfolios of science-intensive activities.
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An exception to U.S. dominance in significant scientific fields has been the extensive investigations of dangerous biological pathogens within the Soviet defense sector during the 1970s and 1980s.
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The approaches adopted in joint U.S.-Russian research programs to investigate the characteristics of dangerous biological pathogens might be considered as a standard that could be applied more widely beyond the two countries. (See, for example, Appendixes C.2, C.3, and C.4 concerning successfully conducted joint research projects involving many types of technologies, including some of particular concern.)
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From page 28... ...
In summary, the case for working together in different geographical environments to gather missing data concerning complex living systems under different, but related, conditions seems clear. Surveillance for Trends and Outbreaks of Human and Animal Diseases Both the United States and Russia have well-developed disease surveillance systems for tracking trends and identifying outbreaks involving human and animal diseases in their respective countries.
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From page 29... ...
International Outreach of the Two Countries In recent years, the United States and Russia have each conducted many types of cooperative bilateral programs in the biological sciences with dozens of countries throughout the world. While the United States has had more financial resources to devote to this outreach, Russia has maintained an important array of international programs; and its linkages with institutions in distant lands are now increasing.
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8 The international outreaches of the two governments, when aggregated, cover most areas of the world. Activities sponsored by international organizations and international companies also involve Russian and American specialists.
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Bilateral collaboration encompassing ecological considerations in Russia enables American researchers both (a) to witness firsthand the basis for Russian reports on these organisms and ecosystems and thereby be in better positions to judge the importance and authenticity of relevant Russian publications and (b)
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Such long-distance impressions can result in false alarms within the United States in reacting to uncertain allegations of disease outbreaks, misinterpretations of Russian technical objectives, lack of awareness of existing Russian data that are available, and administrative difficulties in organizing ad hoc visits to obtain snapshot impressions of the quality of activities in research institutes that were once recognized as international leaders. As previously noted, Russian scientists do not publish in English-language journals as extensively as scientists of the United States and many other countries.
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From page 33... ...
Exchanges can help Russian scientists join the international dialogues on this topic. Also, bioengagement can quickly lead to new insights about recent international developments concerning the handling of pathogens that should help avoid missteps in Russia.
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From page 34... ...
As the international community searches for acceptable procedures for compliance with the BTWC and related UN resolutions, U.S.-Russian collaborative efforts can continue to play a catalytic role in crystallizing common interests. Through bilateral cooperation, the two countries can effectively contribute to the broad international agenda for addressing biosafety issues.
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From page 35... ...
The two countries have different sets of international contacts that open doors between counterparts and collectively provide excellent global coverage of almost all important research that could lead to significant discoveries in the biological sciences. Many developing countries have very few scientists who can address rapidly the emergence of new biology-oriented issues.
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From page 36... ...
2 Individual investigators with appropriate skills who are prepared to pursue cooperative activities over the long term greatly increase the likelihood that cooperative activities will pay off for both countries. While past engagement activities have been organized largely on the basis of interests of institutions in the two countries, the most successful projects have usually relied heavily on individual scientific leaders who have taken responsibility for ensuring successful outcomes of complicated programs.
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From page 37... ...
and Russian governments to promote biotechnology, for example, are set forth in the White House, National Bioeconomy Blueprint, April 26, 2012, http://www.whitehouse. gov/blog/2012/04/26/national-bioeconomy-blueprint-released and Decree of the Chairman of the Russian Government, Complex Program, Development of Biotechnology in the Russian Federation until 2020, No.
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