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Enhancing Biosecurity in Life Science Research: Recommendations of the U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity Biological Weapons Convention Meeting August 18-22, 2008 Geneva The Dual Use Issue Life sciences research

SLIDE 1

Enhancing Biosecurity in Life Science Research: Recommendations of the U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity

Biological Weapons Convention Meeting

August 18-22, 2008 Geneva

SLIDE 2

The “Dual Use” Issue

Life sciences research underpins: – Biomedical and public health advances – Improvements in agriculture – Safety and quality of food supply – Environmental quality – Strong national security and economy

However, good science can be put to bad

uses

SLIDE 3

National Academies Report on Dual Use Research

Report of the National Research Council of the National Academies: “Biotechnology Research in an Age of Terrorism: Confronting the Dual Use Dilemma”

(October 2003)

SLIDE 4

Life Sciences: Need for Biosecurity

“Dual use” potential of certain life sciences research requires consideration of biosecurity measures Need to minimize the likelihood that biological research findings will be misused for production and enhancement of biological weapons Goal: enhance biosecurity protections for life sciences research while ensuring that any impact to the free flow of scientific inquiry is minimized

SLIDE 5

US Government Response

Agreement that new biosecurity measures warranted Series of biosecurity initiatives, including establishment of National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity

SLIDE 6

National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB)

Recommends strategies to minimize risk that legitimate scientific findings will be misused Advises the heads of all US federal departments and agencies with an interest in life science research

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Expertise of NSABB

Members:

– Wide range of the life sciences, including research, clinical, and agricultural. – Also includes expertise in law, bioethics, biodefense, publishing, and representatives from academia, industry, and the public.

Ex Officios:

– Wide representation of the U. S. Government, including 15 departments and agencies

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Questions for the NSABB

How do we recognize dual use research? How should research be reviewed? By whom? When? How do we raise awareness of dual use research and foster strategies to minimize its misuse? Should dual use research of concern be communicated? If so, how can this be done responsibly? How can we promote international engagement on these issues?

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Modus Operandi

Working Groups:

– Oversight Framework Development – Codes of Conduct – Communication – International Collaboration – Synthetic Genomics

Iterative Consultations:

– Wide ranging consultations within the domestic and international life sciences, public policy community, scientific publishing, bioethics and biosafety communities and the general public

SLIDE 10

Work Products and Recommendations

Criteria for Identifying Dual Use Research
f Concern
Tools for Responsible Communication of

Research with Dual Use Potential

Considerations in Developing a Code of

Conduct for Dual Use Research in the Life Sciences

Recommendations on Synthetic Genomics

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Current Activities

NSABB recommendations have been

submitted to the U. S. Government for consideration in policy development

– Oversight framework – Recommendations on synthesis of Select Agents

Formation of a Working Group on Outreach

and Education

– Developing a strategic plan to recommend to the U.S. Government

International Roundtable (3rd), November

2008

– To sustain the dialogue and foster awareness raising internationally

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