The IAP's biosecurity initiative focuses on the potential impact of biosciences research on our global society and, particularly, on the risks associated with the misuse of such research. In 2004 the IAP appointed a working group on biosecurity. This group was asked to develop a statement of principles that could guide IAP member academies and other scientific bodies in developing appropriate biosecurity codes of conduct.

Contact: knaw@bureau.knaw.nl

*** Call to IAP members: Questionnaire on Biosecurity Statement ***

Further to the endorsement of the IAP statement on biosecurity by 68 world ‘s science academies and the participation of members of the IAP Biosecurity Working Group (BWG) in the processes of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), the BWG is interested in gaining insight into the impact that the statement has had at the national level. More specifically, the BWG is interested in knowing what actions IAP member academies, as well as other national scientific organizations, communities of scientists and/or government authorities have undertaken in response to the statement.

The information gathered by means of this electronic questionnaire will be used by the BWG to:
•    share within the IAP family information about new and ongoing national biosecurity initiatives;
•    make recommendations to the IAP’s Executive Committee about the continued work of the BWG;
•    expand the network of IAP member academies interested in participating in BWG activities.

Latest Activities:

- The Royal Society, the International Council for Science and the InterAcademy Panel on International Issues held a workshop on the scientific and technological developments relevant to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC). This invitation-only meeting took place at the Royal Society from 4-6 September 2006.
The meeting addressed scientific progress in the life sciences, encompassing fields such as immunology, agricultural biotechnology, and drug delivery as well as promising techniques such as bioinformatics and RNA interference. One of the objectives of the Sixth BTWC Review Conference, taking place from 20 November - 8 December 2006, will be to review recent scientific developments and to assess the ways in which such developments may be relevant to the Convention.
The workshop provided an opportunity for the international scientific community to contribute to these discussions.
A full report (see link below) of the workshop was produced for the BTWC Review Conference. RS-IAP-ICSU will also be hosting a seminar at the United Nations in Geneva on 21 November 2006 during the Review Conference. For additional information, contact: Nick.Green@royalsoc.ac.uk.

BTWC Workshop report

Geneva Seminar flyer

RS-IAP-ICSU Statement

Background material is available also at: http://www7.nationalacademies.org/biso/Biotech_Workshop.html

- IAP Statement on Biosecurity: 
 IAP released a statement on biosecurity, endorsed by 68 members, on 1 December 2005. The statement was presented to the UN Meeting of Experts of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) in Geneva the following week. IAP members are urged to disseminate the statement to their national media. For more information, including the press release and statement, click here.