ENDORSEMENT

"This book throws down a challenge to the international policy community to take action to truly enhance biological security. The (justifiably) ambitious recommendations deserve to be taken seriously as a basis for action. For the academic community and experts elsewhere this well-researched book will be an excellent reference document to aid their future endeavours in this multi-disciplinary topic."

Terence Taylor, President and Director, International Council for the Life Sciences, Washington, DC, United States

"The threat posed by pathogens whether natural, accidental, or deliberate, is a major security threat facing humanity today. This publication on Global Biosecurity offers an excellent, comprehensive, and up-to-date review of the various facets of this complex subject. It also provides a very thoughtful overview of the many initiatives undertaken across the world and at all levels while identifying gaps where future action may be desirable. This is a must read for anyone interested in this complex yet important topic."

Dr. Jean Pascal Zanders, Director, BioWeapons Prevention Project, Geneva, Switzerland
 

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Situating Global Biosecurity

1. Biosecurity as a Significant Global Security Issue 
2. Overview of the Book

Part 1 Past, Present, and Future Challenges

2. Introduction to Biosecurity

1. Multiple Discourses of Biosecurity and Biosafety 
2. Biological Risk Management 
3. Understanding Biosecurity from the Historical Perspective

3. Foci of Biosecurity

1. Biological Threats 
2. Bioterrorism 
3. Intentional or Unintentional Misuse of Life Sciences and Technology (the 'Dual-use Dilemma'); Genetic Manipulation
4. Biological Threat Agents

4. New Technologies and Their Implications for Biosecurity

1. Life Sciences 
2. Biotechnology: Promises and Perils 
3. Nanotechnology and Genomics
4. Information Technology 
5. Microbial Genome Databases 
6. Ethical Implications of New Technologies

5. Containing Biological Risk: Biosecurity-related National and International Norms

1. Deliberate Hostile Use of Biological Agents: Biological Weapons 
2. Deliberate Hostile Use of Biological Agents: Biological Terrorism 
3. Protection Against the Natural or Accidental Spread of Infectious Diseases 
4. Redefining the Role of Scientists from the Military-industrial Complex

Part 2 Opportunities and Solutions

6. The Human Dimension of Biosecurity

1. Challenges of Poverty, Exclusion, and Development 
2. 'DNA for Peace: Reconciling Biodevelopment and Biosecurity' 
3. Importance of Education, Training, and Communication 
4. Raising Awareness 
5. Aiming at Transparency and Open Dialogue Between Major Actors 
6. Fostering a Culture of Shared Responsibility

7. Governance of Research in the Life Sciences

1. Knowledge and Transparency: A Call for a Global Approach to Ensuring that Science Is Not Misused 
2. Biosecurity and Secrecy 
3. Proposing a New Code of Conduct for Scientists 
4. The International Council for the Life Sciences

8. Harmonisation of Existing Biosecurity Standards and Regulations

1. General Overview 
2. Harmonising National Legislation 
3. Life Sciences/Biotechnology-related Legislation 
4. Biosecurity-related Legislation in International Law 
5. Strengthening the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention 
6. Attempts to Unify Global Biosecurity Measures and Responses

9. Global Biosecurity Governance: Search for a New Paradigm

1. Defining the Theoretical Foundations of a Global Biosecurity Paradigm 
2. Proposing a New Paradigm 
3. Towards a Global Biosecurity Network 
4. Redefining the Roles and Responsibilities of Actors Involved 
5. Defining a Global Biosecurity Strategy 
6. Designing a Global Legal and Regulatory Framework

10. Conclusions

1. Mapping Future Biosecurity Threats 
2. Future Policy Directions 
3. Policy Recommendations