Novossiolova Tatyana, Whitby Simon, Dando Malcolm, Shang Lijun
The Law Program of the Center for the Study of Democracy, Bulgaria.
Division of Peace Studies University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom.
J Biosaf Biosecur. 2022 Jun;4(1):68-74. doi: 10.1016/j.jobb.2022.03.001. Epub 2022 Apr 13.
The devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have acutely shown the need for maintaining robust international and national systems for biological security and ensuring that life sciences are used only for peaceful purposes. Life science stakeholders can play an important role in safeguarding scientific and technological advances in biology and related fields against accidental or deliberate misuse, not least because they are on the frontlines of driving innovation. In this paper, we argue that enhancing awareness and understanding of the risk of deliberate disease is essential for effective biological security. We first discuss the issue of 'dual use' in science and technology as it relates to disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Second, we review how scientist engagement with dual-use risks has been addressed in the context of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC). Third, we report on the development of an innovative awareness-raising tool, a cartoon series, that can be used for engaging life science stakeholders with BTWC issues. Finally, we outline a set of practical considerations for promoting sustainable life science engagement with the BTWC.
新冠疫情的毁灭性影响深刻表明，需要维持强大的国际和国家生物安全体系，并确保生命科学仅用于和平目的。生命科学利益相关者在保护生物学及相关领域的科技进步免遭意外或蓄意滥用方面可发挥重要作用，尤其是因为他们处于推动创新的前沿。在本文中，我们认为提高对蓄意传播疾病风险的认识和理解对于有效的生物安全至关重要。我们首先讨论科学技术中的“两用性”问题，因为它与大规模杀伤性武器的裁军和不扩散有关。其次，我们回顾在《生物和毒素武器公约》（《禁武公约》）背景下科学家如何应对两用风险。第三，我们报告一种创新的提高认识工具——一系列漫画的开发情况，该工具可用于让生命科学利益相关者参与《禁武公约》相关问题。最后，我们概述了一系列实际考虑因素，以促进生命科学与《禁武公约》的可持续互动。
