Misuse potential and biosecurity in life sciences research
A discussion basis for scientists on how to address the dual use dilemma of biological research
Research in the life sciences produces knowledge and technologies to the benefit of humanity and the environment. However, certain discoveries can become dangerous when misused out of ill intent.
In the spring of 2016, life scientists from Swiss academic institutions exchanged their views on the misuse potential of biological research and on ways to address it. During these three workshops, the researchers expressed interest in having a written basis for further discussion within the scientific community of risks of possible life science research misuse.
This report from the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences has been developed in response to this request. It was compiled by the Forum for Genetic Research of the Swiss Academy of Sciences with contributions from additional experts, and with the support of the Federal Office for Public Health.
Authors: Dr Franziska Oeschger Lavrovsky, Dr Ursula Jenal
Standard identifier: ISSN: 2297-1572
Source: Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences (2017) Misuse potential and biosecurity in life sciences research. Swiss Academies Reports 12 (3).
Related topics
Schweizer Forschende der Biowissenschaften stehen einem formellen Verhaltenskodex zur Verhinderung von Missbrauch biologischer Forschung kritisch gegenüber. Dies ist eines der Ergebnisse eines Projektes des Forum Genforschung zur Biosecurity, das nun in der Fachzeitschrift „Frontiers in Bioengineering & Biotechnology“ publiziert wurde.
Image: Creative CommonsIn collaboration with experts of the Federal Office for civil Protection, the Curriculum Biosafety offers for the first time an advanced training course in Biosecurity.
Image: A. Chiang (flickr)A new report by the Academies of Arts and Sciences provides a discussion basis for scientists on how to address the risk of misuse of biological research
Biocrimes have been committed. But they have been rare, happened far away and mostly involved natural pathogens. So should we as scientists be concerned at all?
Image: A. Chiang (flickr)In spring 2016, the Forum for Genetic Research organized with the support of the Federal Office of Public Health three workshops on "How to address the misuse potential of biological research? More than 40 life science researchers took part. They discussed how the research community is currently addressing the "dual use" dilemma and which additional tools could be useful.
Image: Hannah Ambühl, ProClim-Swiss Academies Reports
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