and biosecurity in the Netherlands Dr. Marianne Donker Director - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Dual-use research of Concern and biosecurity in the Netherlands

• Dr. Marianne Donker

Director Department of Public Health Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports Geneva, July 17, 2012

Responsibilities Dutch Government

• Health, Welfare and Sports
• Security and Justice
• Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation
• Foreign Affairs
• Infrastructure and Environment
• Education, Culture and Science
• Social Affairs and Employment
• Defense

Relevant Legislation

Licensing/permits: COGEM research permits (GMO‟s) Non-proliferation: » Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention- Treaty » United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 » Export control – Australia Group » European Dual Use Regulation PIP-framework (Pandemic Influenza Preparedness) Academic Freedom

3

Problem at hand: a relevant dilemma

• Dual Use dilemma:

»security versus public health impact »security versus academic freedom

• Distinction between:

» publication of the specific H5N1 studies and more general „dual use‟ issues » long and short term issues and solutions

4

Short term: specific H5N1 paper(s)

• Discussion on the Fouchier-paper:

»Heavily debated: information subject to export control (Australia Group); »WHO experts opinion (2-2012); »International conference with countries involved (4-2012); »Export license granted by Netherlands government (4-April 2012); »Sander Herfst et al., Airborne Transmission

• f Influenza A/H5N1 Virus Between

Ferrets, Science 22 June 2012: Vol. 336 no. 6088 pp. 1534-1541

5

Long term issues to be addressed:

• We have to consider next steps:

»National (The Netherlands) »International

6

Challenges in regulation in the Netherlands

• Currently no legal biosecurity-requirements.
• Knowledge base on biosecurity among micro-

biologists could be enhanced.

• Limited overview of locations where Dual Use

Research of Concern (DURC)-micro-organisms are available.

• No legal base for notification of work with

DURC-micro-organisms.

• Policy on way of treating DURC research in

phases of application, execution, publication inadequate.

7

National policy agenda

• Reassess Code of Conduct for Biosecurity.
• Strengthen legal base for biosecurity. Goals:

» oversight, » communication » security requirements.

• Create overview of DURC-locations.
• Create legally binding biosecurity-requirements.

8

International questions

• True “cross border issue”

»National policy agenda needed; »Useless without international efforts; »Meetings like these will help us to formulate the international agenda.

9

Questions?