Think Zone

Following requests from States Parties and other stakeholders, the Implementation Support Unit has created this page in order to aggregate information that may be of use to States Parties in their preparations for the Eighth BWC Review Conference.

Below you will find links to articles, press releases, papers and other resources. These links are provided for information purposes only. The views and opinions expressed in the publications are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the ISU, the BWC Chairman or the States Parties. Items are posted here as a service to website readers and posting does not imply endorsement. The ISU is not responsible for the content of third party websites.

This page will be updated as and when items become available. If you have come across something that you think should be on this page, but is not at the moment, please email the document or a link directly to the ISU.

Assistance and cooperation

• International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations, "Technology Transfer: A Collaborative Approach to Improve Global Health" , 2016          
• James Revill, Caitriona McLeish, Alex Spelling and Brian Balmer, "Options for Article X ", Harvard Sussex Program (HSP) Briefing Paper, August 2016

Science and technology

• Gregory D. Koblentz,”   Dual-Use Research as a Wicked Problem ,”   Frontiers in Public Health , Vol. 2 (August 4, 2014), pp. 1-4
• IAP - The Global Network of Science Academies, " The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention: Implications of Advances in Science and Technology " , December 2015
• Brett Edwards, " The Threat From Biological Weapons " , The Cipher Brief , 17 January 2016
• Piers Millett, " The Security Impact of Biotech " , The Cipher Brief , 17 January 2016
• Antonio Regalado,   " Top U.S. Intelligence Official Calls Gene Editing a WMD Threat " ,     MIT Tech Review ,     9 February 2016
• Ioana Puscas,   "Synthetic Biology and ‘Amateur Science’: Dual-use and Challenges of Regulatio n" , GCSP Strategic Security Analysis , February 2016 no.2
• Piers Millett, Jo Husbands, Frances Sharples, and Audrey Thevenon, "Gain-Of-Function Research: Summary of the Second Symposium" ,   The National Academies of Sciences , 10-11 March 2016
• Daniel Gerstein, "How genetic editing became a national security threat" , Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists , 25 April 2016
• Dr. Brett Edwards and Dr. James Revill, "A Decade of Synthetic Biology in the Context of the Biological and Toxin Weapon Convention and Chemical Weapon Convention" , Policy Paper     10: Biochemical Security 2030 Project, May 2016
• UPMC Centre for Health Security,   "Reforming the Biological Weapons Convention's S&T Review Process" , The Bifurcated Needle, 16 May 2016
• James Giordano,   "The Neuroweapons Threat" , Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists , 31 May 2016
• The National Academies of Sciences: Engineering, and Medicine,   "Gene Drives on the Horizon: Advancing Science, Navigating Uncertainty, and Aligning Research with Public Values" , The National Academic Press , 2016
• Dr, John R. Walker,   "An Overview on Development, Current Challenges and Future Options For the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention" , Statement made at the Opening ceremony of the 12th International Symposium on Protection against Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents, Stockholmsmässan, 8-10 June 2016
• Malcolm Dando, "Find the time to discuss new bioweapons" , Nature, 5 July 2016
• Daniel M. Gerstein, " Can the bioweapons convention survive Crispr? ",   Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists , 25 July 2016
• The Interacademy Partnership, "The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention: Considerations for a Science advisory mechanism" , Meeting Summary, July 2016
• US Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel, " Fact Sheet on United States Government Culture of Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Responsible Conduct in the Life Sciences "
• US Federal Experts Security Advisor Panel, " In Hindsight: Scenarios that Illustrate the Importance of a Culture of Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Responsible Conduct in the Life Sciences Research "
• US Federal Experts Security Advisor Panel, " Strengthening an Organizational Culture that Emphasizes Biosafety, Biosecurty, and Responsible Conduct in the Life Sciences "
• US Federal Experts Security Advisor Panel, " Culture of Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Responsible Conduct "
• EU Regional Workshop for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, "Reviewing Science and Technology" , by Dr   James Revill, Research Fellow at the Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex, 13–14 September 2016
• Perry World House, " When Neuroscience leads to Neuroweapons " Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists , 5 October 2016
• Malcolm Dando, Kathryn Nixdorff, Graham Pearson, " Assessing the Outcome of the Eighth Review Conference in regard to the Annual S&T Review Process ", 8 October 2016
• Sonia Ben Ougrham-Gormley, Kathleen Vogel, " Gene Drives: The Good, the Bad, and the Hype ", Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 14 October 2016
• Lentzos Filippa, Nicholas Evans (2016) “ Four steps to rebuild trust in biology ” The Guardian , published online 23 May 2016
• Lentzos Filippa (2016) “ Biology’s misuse potential ” Connections – The Quarterly Journal Vol.15(2): 48-64
• Lentzos Filippa (2016) “ Don’t single out the DIY community” part of the STAT news First Opinion feature Is do-it-yourself CRISPR as scary as it sounds?" , published online 14 March 2016
• Lentzos Filippa (2015) “ Synthetic Biology’s Defence Dollars: Signals and Perceptions ” PLOS Blog, published online 24 December 2015
• Lentzos Filippa, Koos van der Bruggen, Kathryn Nixdorff (2015) “Can we trust scientists’ self-control? ” The Guardian , published online 26 April 2015
• Caitriona McLeish, James Revill, " Keeping up with the Scientists ", BWC Review Conference Series, International Law Policy Institute, 2016
• Gregory Koblentz, Filippa Lentzos, " Risks, Trade-offs and Responsible Science ", BWC Review Conference, International Law Policy Institute, 2016

National implementation

• Meeting Report, "UNSCR 1540 Civil Society Forum: A Dialogue with Academia and Civil Society" , United Nations University Centre for Policy Research and UNODA, June 2016
• European Biosecurity Regulators Forum (EBRF) ,   "Working Paper: Securing immaterial technology with dual-use potential" ,   Centre for Biosecurity and Preparedness, 21 June 2016
• Bradford Review Conference Paper No. 32, "Effective Biosecurity Education Implementation: The Vital Importance of a Coordinated Approach "   by Tatyana Novossiolova and Graham S. Pearson, June 2016.
• Summary Report, " The Future of Scientific Advice to the United Nations: A Summary Report to the Secretary-General of the United Nations from the Scientific Advisory Board ", United Nationas Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, September 2016
• The Guardian Newspaper Article "Scientists are Giving Advice, but are Governments Listening? ", Sir Peter Gluckman and James Wilsdon, September 2016

Article VII

• Akin Abayomi, Rebecca Katz, Scott Spence, Brian Conton, Sahr Gevao, " Managing Dangerous Pathogens: Challenges in the Wake of the Recent West African Ebola Outbreak ", Global Security: Health, Science and Policy , 2016

General articles

• Jenifer Mackby, "Nations debate how to review BWC" , Arms Control Today , September 2016
• Anja Kaspersen, " 3 technologies that will transform warfare ", World Economic Forum , 9 February 2016
• Amanda Moodie, " In Good Health? The Biological Weapons Convention and the "Medicalization" of Security ," The Nonproliferation Review , Vol. 22, No.1, November 2015
• Ineke Malsch, " Reflections by Pax Christi International on Strengthening the norm against misuse of life sciences for biological weapons ", Pax Christi International , 15 April 2016  
• Alex Spelling, Caitriona McLeish, Brian Balmer, Arts and Humanities Research COuncil (AHRC) Project , " Understantding Biological Disarmament: The Historical Context of the Origins of the BWC ",   University College London
• Alex Spelling, Caitriona McLeish, Brian Balmer, "Where did the BWC Come From? Indicative Timeline and Key Events, 1925-75 ", University College London , March 2015
• Lentzos, Filippa (2016) “ Editor’s introduction: The politics, people, science and historical roots ” in Filippa Lentzos (Ed.) Biological Threats in the 21st Century , Imperial College Press

Compliance, monitoring, review etc

• James Revill and Caitríona McLeish, " Estimating the costs of compliance options for the BWC ", Trust and Verify , October - December 2015, No. 151
• Gunnar Jeremias & Mirko Himmel " Can everyone help verify the bioweapons convention? Perhaps, via open source monitoring ", Bulletin of Atomic Scientists , 2016
• Filippa Lentzos, "Increasing Transparency in Biodefence: A 2016 Visit to a German Military Medical Biodefence Facility ", Non-Proliferation Papers , November 2016, n.52

Bioterrorism

• Daniel Gerstein, " Countering Bioterror ", The Cipher Brief , 17 January 2016
• Chatham House, “ Use of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Weapons by Non-State Actors ,” Emerging Risk Report , 2016
• SSPC, “ Apocalyptic Terror: Chemical and Biological Dimensions of Jihadi Terrorism ”, February 2016

BWC working methods / intersessional process / Eighth Review Conference

• Wilton Park Conference Report, " Compliance with the BTWC: Strategies Towards the 2016 Review Conference ", 23-25 September 2015
• BWC/MSP/2015/MX/WP.3 - Improving methods of work at the Biological Weapons Convention meetings - Submitted by the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus
• Graham S. Pearson,   "Time for Structural changes to make the biological and toxin weapons convention more effective"   Global Security: Health, Science and Policy
• Graham Pearson, Nicholas Sims, " An Effective Intersessional Process and Implementation Support Unit ", 2016
• Graham Pearson, Nicholas Sims, " Key Objectives for an Effective Eighth Review Conference ", October 2016
• Graham Pearson, Nicholas Sims, " Towards Universality of the 1925 Geneva Protocol ", November 2016
• Richard Lennane, " Divide and Delegate: The Future of the BWC ", BWC Review Conference Series, International Law and Policy Institute, 2016

Education and awareness-raising

• Simon Whitby, Tatyana Novossiolova Gerald Walther and Malcolm Dando (eds.), Preventing Biological Threats: What You Can Do. A Guide to Biological Security Issues and How to Address Them , December 2015
• Tatyana Novossiolova,   Biological Security Education Handbook: The Power of Team-Based Learning ,   January 2016
• Inter Academy Partnership,   Doing Global Science: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in the Global Research Enterprise,   February 2016
• Guide Flyer: University of Bradford,   Preventing Biological Threats: What You Can Do , April 2016
• Centre for Biosecurity and Preparedness, International Biosecurity Course , 2 May 2016
• Bradford Review Conference Paper No. 32, "Effective Biosecurity Education Implementation: The Vital Importance of a Coordinated Approach "   by Tatyana Novossiolova and Graham S. Pearson, June 2016.
• US Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel, " Fact Sheet on United States Government Culture of Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Responsible Conduct in the Life Sciences "
• US Federal Experts Security Advisor Panel, " In Hindsight: Scenarios that Illustrate the Importance of a Culture of Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Responsible Conduct in the Life Sciences Research "
• US Federal Experts Security Advisor Panel, " Strengthening an Organizational Culture that Emphasizes Biosafety, Biosecurty, and Responsible Conduct in the Life Sciences "
• US Federal Experts Security Advisor Panel, " Culture of Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Responsible Conduct "
• Nariyoshi Shinomiya, Masamichi Minehata, " Working results of a Follow-up Survey about the Awareness amongst Life Scientists in Japan ", National Defense Medical College , 2016
• Tatyana Novossiolova, Malcom Dando, Graham Pearson, " Assessing the Outcome of the Eighth review Conference in regard to Biosecurity Education and Awareness Raising ", October 2016
• University of Bradford   - Effective Biosecurity Education for High School Students: The Value of Team-Based Learning

Universalization

• Peter Barcroft,   "The Pacific Islands, Climate Change, Conventional Arms and Weapons of Mass Destruction: A Need to Act on All Fronts" , Pacific Islands Report, 2 May 2016

Introductory Workshop on the BWC, 27 June 2016 (GCSP, ILPI)

In this section are links to six panel PowerPoint slides presented during the Introductory Workshop on the Eighth Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention (27 June 2016).

Panel 1: The Historical Roots of Biological Weapons

• Politics, People, Science and Historical Roots (Filippa Lentzos, King's College London)
• Biological Weapons Under international law: From the 1925 Geneva Protocol to the Biological Weapons Convention   (Caitriona McLeish, Harvard Sussex Program)

Panel 2: Current Challenges and Responses

• Challenges faced by the BWC (Piers Millett, Biosecure Ltd.)
• The 2014/2015 Ebola response (Jetri Regmi, WHO)

Panel 3: What does it mean to implement the BWC?

• A Practical Introduction to the BWC   (Daniel Feakes, BWC ISU)
• Article VII of the BWC   (Jean-Pascal Zanders, UNODA)
• Prohibit and Prevent: National Implementation of the BWC- a legal perspective   (Scott Spence, VERTIC)

Panel 4: Strategies for taking the BWC forward

• The Eighth Review Conference- Process Overview   (Daniel Feakes, BWC ISU)
• Strategies for taking the BWC forward - Amb. Michael Biontino, Germany, and Amb. D.B Venkatesh Varma, India

Introductory Workshop on the BWC, 19 September 2016 (GCSP, ILPI)

In this section are links to presentations delivered during the Introductory Workshop on the Eighth Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention (19 September 2016).

Panel 1: Assessing bio-threats and biodefence

• Between hype and caution: the risk posed by advances in life sciences   (Ralf Trapp, independent consultant)
• Assessing bio-threats and bio-defence   (Isabelle Daoust-Maleval, French Ministry of Defence)

Panel 2: Addressing the inherent dual-use character of life sciences

• Translating the BWC in S&T Practice: Risk management of controversial research   (Johannes Rath, University of Vienna)
• Security concerns related to synthetic biology   (Brett Edwards, University of Bath)

Panel 3: Preparing for the Eighth Review Conference

• Dealing with BWC matters from a delegate’s perspective   (Ian McConville, Australian Permanent Mission)
• Practical guidance for delegates to the Eighth Review Conference   (Daniel Feakes, BWC Implementation Support Unit)

Panel 4: Strategies for taking the BWC forward

• The Eighth Review Conference: Process overview   (Daniel Feakes, Chief BWC Implementation Support Unit)
• Panel discussion: Strategies for taking the BWC forward (Ambassador Tehmina Janjua, Pakistan, and Ambassador Beatriz Londoño Soto, Colombia)

Workshop on the BWC, 05 September 2016, Wuxi, China

• Summary of Workshop Proceedings , pre sented by Dr. Alex Lampalzer
• Opening Remarks , by Ian McConville
• The 2012-2015 Intersessional Programme, presented by Daniel Feakes
• Statement , by Director Peter Barcroft
• Statement , by Director Amir Saeed
• Response to Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in West Africa , presented by Dr. Zhen Xu
• Synthetic Biology and Biosecurity , presented by Yin Li
• Establishing a Non-proliferation Export Control and International Cooperation Regime under the Framework of the Biological Weapons Convention , presented by Wang Qian
• Effective Implementation of Biosecurity Education: The Vital Importance of a Coordinated Approach , presented by Dr. Tatyana Novossiolova
• Exploring Ways to Deliver Assistance , presented by Siddhartha Nath
• Promoting the International Cooperation for Peaceful Purposes , presented by Roselida Owuor
• Implementation of Article VII of the BTWC: How do we Assist Affected States Parties? , presented by Pumza Matyila
• International Workshop on the Eighth BWC Review Conference. Promoting BWC Implementation, Enhancing Global Biosecurity Governance , presented by Hamilton O'Neil
• Global Partnership Program: Mitigating Biological Threats, presented by Nataly Spears
• Iraqi Measures for Non-Proliferation of WMD Biological Threat Reduction, presented by Mohammed Al-Zubaidi
• Promoting the International Cooperation for Peaceful Purposes, presented by Dr. Lazaro Regalado Alfonso
• Contributions of IAP and its Biosecurity Working Group to BWC, presented by Krishan Lal
• Enhancing Participation in the Confidence Building Measure System in terms of both Quantity and Quality, presented by Julia Nordmann
• United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540(2004) and the Biological Weapons Convention. Synergy and Complementarity, presented by Gennady Lutay
• Innovative Strategies for Strengthening the Convention, presented by Christopher Park
• Strengthening the Review Process on Breakthroughs in Science and Technology, presented by Dr. Zalini Yunus
• Options for the 2017-2020 Intersessional Process, presented by Andrew Halliday
• Enhancing Participation in the CBMs in terms of both Quantity and Quality, presented by Dr. Alex Lampalzer