Dual-use Molecules from Yeast

This year the OPCW, the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, celebrates the 20th anniversary of entry into forces. In 2014, this organization examined the impact of new technologies in the field of chemical and biological weapons, in particular the “Convergence” of Chemistry and Biology. An OPCW report of the Scientific Advisory Group highlighted the importance of monitoring developments in science and technology: “New production processes, combined with developments in drug discovery and delivery, could be exploited in the development of new toxic chemicals that could be used as weapons.” 1 Indeed, since 2008, Synthetic Biology is monitored also by other international organizations, such as the Nonproliferation Export Control Regimes Australia Group

Dual-Use Technology Jepang Dan Kepentingan Keamanan Nasional Amerika Serikat

The dynamic relations between Japan and the United States are interesting to be observed due to frequently happen in “non-conventional “. Japan and America are two countries leading in the development of high technology, including military technology capabilities. The competition, both in the development of military technology often brings a unique and surprising relationship pattern. This paper shows that Japan continues to develop military technology that affects perception and capability of the country in the International political stage. On the other hand, the Japanese military technology development has given rise to responses from a number of countries in the region, as well as from major countries like USA. This paper shows that the achievement and the use of military technology will determine the future of the country\u27s diplomacy with major countries in the world, especially the United States

Governance of Dual-Use Technologies: Theory and Practice

The term dual-use characterizes technologies that can have both military and civilian applications. What is the state of current efforts to control the spread of these powerful technologies—nuclear, biological, cyber—that can simultaneously advance social and economic well-being and also be harnessed for hostile purposes? What have previous efforts to govern, for example, nuclear and biological weapons taught us about the potential for the control of these dual-use technologies? What are the implications for governance when the range of actors who could cause harm with these technologies include not just national governments but also non-state actors like terrorists? These are some of the questions addressed by Governance of Dual-Use Technologies: Theory and Practice, the new publication released today by the Global Nuclear Future Initiative of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The publication's editor is Elisa D. Harris, Senior Research Scholar, Center for International Security Studies, University of Maryland School of Public Affairs. Governance of Dual-Use Technologies examines the similarities and differences between the strategies used for the control of nuclear technologies and those proposed for biotechnology and information technology. The publication makes clear the challenges concomitant with dual-use governance. For example, general agreement exists internationally on the need to restrict access to technologies enabling the development of nuclear weapons. However, no similar consensus exists in the bio and information technology domains. The publication also explores the limitations of military measures like deterrence, defense, and reprisal in preventing globally available biological and information technologies from being misused. Some of the other questions explored by the publication include: What types of governance measures for these dual-use technologies have already been adopted? What objectives have those measures sought to achieve? How have the technical characteristics of the technology affected governance prospects? What have been the primary obstacles to effective governance, and what gaps exist in the current governance regime? Are further governance measures feasible? In addition to a preface from Global Nuclear Future Initiative Co-Director Robert Rosner (University of Chicago) and an introduction and conclusion from Elisa Harris, Governance of Dual-Use Technologiesincludes:On the Regulation of Dual-Use Nuclear Technology by James M. Acton (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)Dual-Use Threats: The Case of Biotechnology by Elisa D. Harris (University of Maryland)Governance of Information Technology and Cyber Weapons by Herbert Lin (Stanford University

Spiders in Fauna Europaea : dual use of the database

The history and current work of the project Fauna Europaea is outlined. The different sources used for building up the database and the efforts to keep it updated are described. Available models of national checklists are discussed and the ideal checklist is described. The double use of the database as a matrix behind the official site of Fauna Europaea – as well as a directly visible document on the website of the European Society of Arachnology – are indicated and the differences in transparency, links to literature sources, and facilities such as distribution maps and calculations of numbers of scores per species or of species per country are discussed. The future of the project is briefly outlined. The need for a European identification tool for spiders is stressed

An Expected Value Approach to the Dual-Use Problem

In this chapter I examine how expected-value theory might inform responses to what I call the dual-use problem. I begin by defining that problem. I then outline a procedure, which invokes expected-value theory, for tackling it. I first illustrate the procedure with the aid of a simplified schematic example of a dual-use problem, and then describe how it might also guide responses to more complex real-world cases. I outline some attractive features of the procedure. Finally, I consider whether and how the procedure might be amended to accommodate various criticisms of it

ALTERNATIVE TOBACCO PRODUCTS & DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

The association between cigarette use and depression has been documented in many studies. Fewer studies have examined other tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and hookah that are used by young adults. This study examined whether increased frequency of use of these products was associated with depressive symptoms in a cohort of n=5,236 Texas college students followed from 2014 to 2017. A hierarchical model showed that increased frequency of single product use of cigarettes, refillable e-cigarettes and hookah was associated with depressive symptoms. Refillable and disposable e-cigarettes were examined separately and results did not provide evidence of a different association for each type of e-cigarette when cigarettes were not also used. Dual use of cigarettes with another product was also examined. Dual use was associated with higher depressive symptoms for most product combinations. However, infrequent dual use of disposable e-cigarettes and cigarettes may not be associated with depressive symptoms. Suggestions for further research are included

Fostering the Biosecurity Norm: Biosecurity Education for the Next Generation of Life Scientists

Sustainable education on biosecurity and dual use for life scientists is increasingly recognised as being an important element of broader efforts to achieve biosecurity. To address this issue, a joint project between the Landau Network-Centro Volta and the Bradford Disarmament Research Centre has been initiated to analyse what currently exists in terms of biosecurity and dual use education, but also how such education can be most effectively achieved in a sustainable fashion. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on the findings of a survey on the extent of, and attitudes to, biosecurity and dual use education in European universities, and outline the educational activities undertaken through a network of contacts built through the survey and some of the conclusions drawn from engagement with this network. The paper also outlines the development and optimization of an Educational Module Resource intended to support lecturers in the improvement and implementation of educational material related to biosecurity and dual use. This is further expanded by the authors' experience derived from implementation tests conducted at universities around Europe, in which material was tested with students and faculty members. To date, the main results from this evaluative process are that students and faculties are generally unaware of biosecurity and dual use concerns, but nonetheless appear interested in discussing these topics and have initiated challenging debates on the importance of balancing factors such as security, research, secrecy and development. However, serious efforts in terms of developing and promulgating education more broadly across the life science community will require concerted actions which look at education but also at other mutually reinforcing intervention points such as funding bodies, authors and publishers. Moreover, in the longer term it will also be necessary to develop new mechanisms and metrics to determine success in these activities and ensure that educational activities are contributing, along with other legal and regulatory measures, to mitigating the challenge of potential misuse of the life sciences in the 21st century

The Political and Economic Context of European defence R&D

Along with all other defence-related issues, defence research is a controversial area for EU action. Until recently, defence issues have not figured prominently among EU policy discussions and defence research has played little, if any, role in European technology policy. Although the Framework Programme is funding research projects that could have potential military applications in addition to their explicit civilian goals, there is no strategy on how to address such "dual-use" research activities. Yet, this paper argues that the interaction between technologies developed for civilian and for military use has led to a situation in which it is increasingly difficult to refer to distinct military and civilian technology bases. From the point of view of policy formulation a strict separation between defence and civilian technologies is increasingly appearing as anachronistic. The extent to which "dual-use" research will be explicitly considered in the development of the 6th Framework Programme will again emerge as a matter of debate. The paper presents and discusses different avenues through which dual-use and defence-related research could be given formal consideration in the development and implementation of the 6th Framework Programme.EU research policy, defence, "dual-use" research

Biosecurity: A 21st Century Challenge

Based on a review of key reports and experts' opinions, summarizes the debate over "dual-use" technologies and the various approaches to controlling biosecurity risk. Outlines proposed preventive measures and steps to build response capacity

A Survey of Attitudes and Actions on Dual Use Research in the Life Sciences

Presents results of a survey of American Association for the Advancement of Science members in the life sciences on their knowledge and perceptions of dual use issues, their role in reducing the risks of misuse, and the need for oversight mechanisms