Biosecurity

Biosecurity & the practice of life sciences research

Rapidly expanding knowledge in the life sciences has brought great benefits to society. However, the research that fuels these advances in medicine, agriculture and industry also carries potential risks. There is a particular concern that the knowledge, tools and techniques gained through biotechnology research could be used to create biological weapons. Whilst international law and weapons conventions help to mitigate against the state use of such weapons, many life scientists are unfamiliar with this legislation, and the advent of international terrorism introduces potential new risks.

In response to public concern, countries are introducing new regulations and mechanisms or re-interpreting existing regulations to ensure against the misuse of life sciences research and protect populations against the potential for deliberately induced epidemics. In some areas such as bio-safety or public health surveillance, these developments mainly involve the strengthening of existing systems and are largely welcomed by the scientific community. However, in other areas such as access to scientific data and information, personnel screening and additional oversight of fundamental scientific research, there are major implications for the practice of science as a whole. Maintaining the universality of science, whilst responding responsibly and visibly to legitimate public concern about the potential mis-use of life sciences research is a major challenge for the international scientific community.

In this context, ICSU joined with the Inter-Academy Panel, Inter-Academy Medical Panel and the US National Academy of Sciences, to sponsor an International Forum on Biosecurity in March 2005. Scientists from several of the international unions and over 20 countries, from both North and South, participated in 3 days of discussion and debate at Lake Como, Italy. For many this was the first time that they had seriously considered the implications of dual-use but all were convinced at the end of the meeting that they as individuals and the scientific community as a whole have a major and pressing responsibility in this area.