Prevention of a Biological and Toxin Arms Race and the Responsibility of Scientists

Prevention of a Biological and Toxin Arms Race and the Responsibility of Scientists PDF Author: Erhard Geissler
Publisher: De Gruyter Akademie Forschung
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 544

Get Book Here

Book Description

Prevention of a Biological and Toxin Arms Race and the Responsibility of Scientists

Prevention of a Biological and Toxin Arms Race and the Responsibility of Scientists PDF Author: Erhard Geissler
Publisher: De Gruyter Akademie Forschung
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 544

Get Book Here

Book Description


A Web of Prevention

A Web of Prevention PDF Author: Brian Rappert
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136572619
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 241

Get Book Here

Book Description
Web of Prevention provides a timely contribution to the current debate about life science research and its implications for security. It is an informative guide for both experts and the public. It is a forward-looking contribution covering both ends of the equation and creates momentum for the current discussion on effective preventive measures and effective control measures. While there are no guarantees for preventing misuse, there are nonetheless crucial steps the world community can take towards the overarching goal of a global network for the life sciences. This book sheds light on concrete steps toward the achievement of this worthy goal. "This book with its collection of essays provides an in-depth analysis of the various mutually reinforcing elements that together create and strengthen a web of prevention - or of assurance - that is vital to ensure that the advances in the life sciences are not misused to cause harm. All those engaged in the life sciences and in policy making in governments around the world should read this book so they can take steps to strengthen the web preventing biological weapons". From the Foreword by Dr Gabriele Kraatz-Wadsack, Chief, Weapons of Mass Destruction Branch, Office for Disarmament Affairs, United Nations. "Since September 11, 2001 in many countries renewed attention has been given to how research in the life sciences might inadvertently or intentionally facilitate the development of biological or chemical weapons. This state-of-the-art volume examines the full extent of the issues and debates. Coverage includes an overview of recent scientific achievements in virology, microbiology, immunology and genetic engineering with a view to asking how they might facilitate the production of weapons of mass destruction by state, sub-state or terrorist organizations. Consideration is given to what we have and haven't learned from the past. Employing both academic analysis and reflections by practitioners, the book examines the security-inspired governance regimes for the life sciences that are under development. Ultimately the authors examine what is required to form a comprehensive and workable web of prevention and highlight the importance of encouraging discussions between scientists, policy makers and others regarding the governance of vital but potentially dangerous research". Dr Graham S. Pearson, Visiting Professor of International Security, University of Bradford, UK and previously Director-General, Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, UK

Preventing a Biological Arms Race

Preventing a Biological Arms Race PDF Author: Susan Wright
Publisher: MIT Press (MA)
ISBN: 9780262231480
Category : Biological warfare (International law)
Languages : en
Pages : 446

Get Book Here

Book Description
This timely sourcebook presents the essential technical, political, legal, and historical background needed for informed judgments about the recent expansion of military interest in the life sciences particularly in the weapons potential of the new biotechnology. Beyond providing a history and analysis of trends in these areas, "Preventing a Biological Arms Race also develops the case for strengthening national and international commitments to biological disarmament and proposes courses of action to achieve this goal. "In theory, " Susan Wright observes, "the menace of biological warfare should no longer be with us." Developing, producing, and stockpiling biological weapons are unconditionally banned by international treaty. EastWest military rivalry and confrontations in the Middle East have eroded confidence in the treaty regime, however. The advent of genetic engineering and other new biotechnologies has revived military interest in biological weaponry, generating concern about the potential weapons applications of biological research. The 15 contributions by experts from a wide range of disciplines include a history of U.S. biological warfare policy, analysis of the ethical issues posed by defensive biological warfare research, case studies of alleged violations of the international legal regime prohibiting biological weapons, reviews of that regime, and proposals for strengthening the barriers to biological warfare. A series of 14 appendices collect important data and documents related to biological weapons. Susan Wright is a historian of science at the Residential College of the University of Michigan where she directs the Science and Society Program. This book was prepared underthe sponsorship of the Council for Responsible Genetics.

Preventing Chemical Weapons

Preventing Chemical Weapons PDF Author: Lijun Shang
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
ISBN: 1782626492
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 672

Get Book Here

Book Description
The life and chemical sciences are in the midst of a period of rapid and revolutionary transformation that will undoubtedly bring societal benefits but also have potentially malign applications, notably in the development of chemical weapons. Such concerns are exacerbated by the unstable international security environment and the changing nature of armed conflict, which could fuel a desire by certain States to retain and use existing chemical weapons, as well as increase State interest in creating new weapons; whilst a broader range of actors may seek to employ diverse toxic chemicals as improvised weapons. Stark indications of the multi-faceted dangers we face can be seen in the chemical weapons attacks against civilians and combatants in Iraq and Syria, and also in more targeted chemical assassination operations in Malaysia and the UK. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, and drawing upon an international group of experts, this book analyses current and likely near-future advances in relevant science and technology, assessing the risks of their misuse. The book examines the current capabilities, limitations and failures of the existing international arms control and disarmament architecture – notably the Chemical Weapons Convention – in preventing the development and use of chemical weapons. Through the employment of a novel Holistic Arms Control methodology, the authors also look beyond the bounds of such treaties, to explore the full range of international law, international agreements and regulatory mechanisms potentially applicable to weapons employing toxic chemical agents, in order to develop recommendations for more effective routes to combat their proliferation and misuse. A particular emphasis is given to the roles that chemical and life scientists, health professionals and wider informed activist civil society can play in protecting the prohibition against poison and chemical weapons; and in working with States to build effective and responsive measures to ensure that the rapid scientific and technological advances are safeguarded from hostile use and are instead employed for the benefit of us all.

Preventing a Biochemical Arms Race

Preventing a Biochemical Arms Race PDF Author: Alexander Kelle
Publisher: Stanford University Press
ISBN: 0804786151
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 256

Get Book Here

Book Description
Preventing a Biochemical Arms Race responds to a growing concern that changes in the life sciences and the nature of warfare could lead to a resurgent interest in chemical and biological weapons (CBW) capabilities. By bringing together a wide range of historical material and current literature in the field of CBW arms control, the book reveals how these two disparate fields might be integrated to precipitate a biochemical arms race among major powers, rogue states, or even non-state actors. It seeks to raise awareness among policy practitioners, the academic community, and the media that such an arms race may be looming if developments are left unattended, and to provide policy options on how it—and it's devastating consequences—could be avoided. After identifying weaknesses in the international regime structures revolving around the Biological Weapons and Chemical Weapons Conventions, it provides policy proposals to deal with gaps and shortcomings in each prohibition regime individually, and then addresses the widening gap between them.

A Short History of Biological Warfare

A Short History of Biological Warfare PDF Author: W. Seth Carus
Publisher: Government Printing Office
ISBN: 9780160941481
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 80

Get Book Here

Book Description
This publication gives a history of biological warfare (BW) from the prehistoric period through the present, with a section on the future of BW. The publication relies on works by historians who used primary sources dealing with BW. In-depth definitions of biological agents, biological weapons, and biological warfare (BW) are included, as well as an appendix of further reading on the subject. Related items: Arms & Weapons publications can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/arms-weapons Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT & CBRNE) publications can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/hazardous-materials-hazmat-cbrne

Chemical and Biological Warfare

Chemical and Biological Warfare PDF Author: Eric Croddy
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
ISBN: 9780810832718
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 478

Get Book Here

Book Description
Covers the history of this form of warfare, information on chemical agents themselves, as well as regulation, controls, and disposal policies. Scientific research on CBW, extending as far back as 1940 is organized under categories of CBW agents and their corresponding subheadings.

Biotechnology Research in an Age of Terrorism

Biotechnology Research in an Age of Terrorism PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309089778
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 164

Get Book Here

Book Description
In recent years much has happened to justify an examination of biological research in light of national security concerns. The destructive application of biotechnology research includes activities such as spreading common pathogens or transforming them into even more lethal forms. Policymakers and the scientific community at large must put forth a vigorous and immediate response to this challenge. This new book by the National Research Council recommends that the government expand existing regulations and rely on self-governance by scientists rather than adopt intrusive new policies. One key recommendation of the report is that the government should not attempt to regulate scientific publishing but should trust scientists and journals to screen their papers for security risks, a task some journals have already taken up. With biological information and tools widely distributed, regulating only U.S. researchers would have little effect. A new International Forum on Biosecurity should encourage the adoption of similar measures around the world. Seven types of risky studies would require approval by the Institutional Biosafety Committees that already oversee recombinant DNA research at some 400 U.S. institutions. These "experiments of concern" include making an infectious agent more lethal and rendering vaccines powerless.

The Evolution of Biological Disarmament

The Evolution of Biological Disarmament PDF Author: Nicholas Roger Alan Sims
Publisher: Sipri Chemical & Biological Wa
ISBN: 9780198295785
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 218

Get Book Here

Book Description
The evolution of the disarmament regime of the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) is described from 1980, when the first BTWC Review Conference was held, until 1998. The author analyses the results of SIPRI's first four review Conferences.

Science and Security in a Post 9/11 World

Science and Security in a Post 9/11 World PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309111919
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 136

Get Book Here

Book Description
Based on a series of regional meetings on university campuses with officials from the national security community and academic research institutions, this report identifies specific actions that should be taken to maintain a thriving scientific research environment in an era of heightened security concerns. Actions include maintaining the open exchange of scientific information, fostering a productive environment for international scholars in the U.S., reexamining federal definitions of sensitive but unclassified research, and reviewing policies on deemed export controls. The federal government should establish a standing entity, preferably a Science and Security Commission, that would review policies regarding the exchange of information and the participation of foreign-born scientists and students in research.