Dual-Use Bioethics/Biosecurity Training

Transcription

1 Dual-Use Bioethics/Biosecurity Training 2 nd Annual Conference BACAC Regional Biosafety and Biosecurity Collaboration Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic November 2010 Masamichi Minehata Bradford Disarmament Research Centre m.minehata@bradford.ac.uk

2 Outline 1. Background: Dual-Use Bioethics 2. Online Educational Resource 3. Online Educational Course

3 Surveys General Scope Identifying problems and solutions with a view to promoting biosecurity education in Europe, United States(AAAS/NRC), Japan, Israel, East Asia and Oceania. Problems Lack of specific modules Obstacles addressed by university lectures: lack of interest, resource, time, expertise, literature Possibilities Bioethics (prevalent) + dual-use Biosafety (growing) + dual-use (e.g. laboratory biosecurity)

4 Education Module Resource (EMR) Main Concept A free (open-source/shareware) on-line educational resource for facilitating ti the training i in Ethics and the Dual-Use issues amongst Life Science Students in Higher Education. No one size fits all Content of the resource can be tailored by users for specific academic contexts.

5 EMR 21 Lectures: Broader Concept of Biosecurity A. Introduction: o Lecture: e No. 1 B. The Threat of Biological Warfare (BW) and Biological Terrorism (BT) and the International ti Prohibition Regime: Lectures No C. The Dual-Use Dilemma and the Responsibilities of Life Scientists: Lectures No E.g. Bioethics methodology, Obligation of the BTWC, Dual-use examples. D. National Implementation of the BTWC: Lectures E. Building an Effective Web of Prevention to Ensure Benign Development: Lecture No. 21

6 Basic elements of the EMR Main texts: Essential content of the lecture Video links: Additional video content Further information: Additional content (official documents, literature and pictures) Sample essay questions and References Implementation: Being tested in Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the UK and Japan Language: Available in English Russian Japanese being translated Language: Available in English, Russian, Japanese, being translated into Romanian, Urdu and further translation has been aimed into German, French, Chinese

7 Applied Dual-Use Bioethics/Biosecurity: it Online Distance Learning Course Objectives: to build capacity of participants to develop: 1. Knowledge & Understanding Review and appraise ethical/biosecurity themes and methods relevant to dual-use 2. Discipline Skills Ideas and questions relevant to assessing ethics, Organise and synthesise dilemmas in specific dual-use issues affecting humans, animals and plants Integrate dual-use biosecurity issues and concerns into their training 3. Personal Transferable Skills Communicate effectively in an online environment with their colleagues and students using a range of media

8 Key Themes of the Course A. The Threat of Biological oogca Warfare (BW) and Biological Terrorism (BT) B. International Prohibition Regime C. The Dual-Use Dilemma D. Responsibilities of Life Scientists E. National Implementation of the BTWC F. Building an Effective Web of Prevention to Ensure Benign Development Law Ehi Ethics Science Biosecurity Competence

9 Tools: Elluminate, NING and Blackboard Elluminate Live platform for lectures and seminars, Virtual classroom enabling the interaction amongst participants backed up by (PPTs, Webcam, Audio equipment), NING Induction and social networking platform outside of lectures Blackboard Archives of the course: lecture PPTs, videos, hand books

10 Course Structure and Assessment Two types of courses 20 Credit Module (UK Higher Education Master s level credit): 12 Lectures in 12 weeks (1.5 hours weekly) + 12 Seminars-Scenarios based discussion (21 scenarios available) (1.5 hours weekly); Certificate Module: 6 lectures in 6 weeks; Assessment: 20 Credit Module An essay (3,500-4,000 words) 70% Essay: 75 questions are available, A group work (2,000 words report and presentation) ti 30% 1. Illustrating possible dual-use dilemma based on seminar scenarios, 2. Explaining how participants can incorporate the online material (EMR) into training programmes at its own institutions

11 E.g. Essay Questions 34. Assess the different definitions of Biosecurity? 35. Should the states t be regulating science and taking the leading role in ensuring effective enforcement of Biosecurity? 36. Discuss whether Biosecurity Education should be mandatory? Do you think scientists have a responsibility for the misapplication of their research results? 37. Do you think the oversight of science is possible or indeed useful? Would national frameworks and measures to oversee relevant people, materials, knowledge and information be useful? 39. Discuss what kind of specific changes can be expected in your research under ethical consideration about dual-use issues? 40. Explain how can we share our work with colleagues or wider audience through publication locally and globally who may have different ethical values?...

12 Additional Questions for Action Plans 1. How is dual-use biosecurity distinct from biosafety and laboratory biosecurity? 2. What is your organisation? What advice do you receive regarding biosecurity? What is the wording of the advice? 3. Do you have a mechanism by which you could get help if you should encounter an issue or an experiment of dual-use concern? 4. Does your professional association require that you have an understanding of the international CBW prohibition regimes? 5. What is your professional association? Does your professional organisation require that you have an understanding of dual-use issues? And what mechanisms does your association have in place to consider such issues?

13 Conclusion and the Way Forward Lack of literature/text books EMR Lack of expertise Train the Trainer Course = biosecurity education is doable Expansion of networking to share best practice of educational programmes, Development of assessment criteria, Development of a model standard on essential elements in biosecurity competence.

14 All information of the presentation is available from: