Abstract
This paper aims to present possible approaches, resources and programmes to introduce the topic of biosecurity to life scientists and engineers at the higher education level. Firstly, we summarise key findings from a number of international surveys on biosecurity education that have been carried out in the United States, Europe, Israel and the Asia–Pacific region. Secondly, we describe the development of our openly-accessible education resource, illustrating the scope and content of these materials. Thirdly, we report on actual cases of biosecurity education that have been implemented. These include achievements in and lessons derived from the implementation of biosecurity education at the National Defense Medical College in Japan. These experiences are followed by presentation of the expert-level “Train-the-Trainer” programmes subsequently launched by the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom. These examples will help readers to understand how educators can enhance their own understanding about biosecurity issues and how they can then disseminate their knowledge through development of their own customised, relevantly-targeted and stage-tailored education programmes within their own life science communities. By providing these examples, we argue that education for life scientists, policy-makers and other stakeholders about social responsibility on dual-use issues is easily achievable and need not be expensive, time-consuming or over-burdening. We suggest that recurring classes or courses be held at appropriate times during educational programmes to accommodate the developing expertise and advancing learning stages of students.
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Notes
A resource that can support scientists and other stakeholders in the area of social responsibility-awareness is Sture (2010a).
For various ambiguities over the boundary between defensive and offensive biological programmes, see Wright and Ketcham (1990).
The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction, commonly known as the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) or Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC). This was the first multilateral disarmament treaty banning an entire category of weapons. It opened for signature in 1972 and came into force in 1975. http://www.unog.ch/80256EE600585943/(httpPages)/04FBBDD6315AC720C1257180004B1B2F?OpenDocument. Accessed 5 May 2011.
There have been efforts to conceptualise a multifaceted approach comprising several practical measures through what is termed the Web of Prevention (WoP). For the conceptual evolution of the WoP in literature, see Feaks et al. (2007).
Such as BTWC of 1972, Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993 or Geneva Protocol of 1925.
The Federation of American Scientists lists many stand-alone online educational materials by various institutions and educational programmes at universities. See Virtual Biosecurity Center (VBC). http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/bio/educationportal.html. Accessed 5 May 2011.
Landau Network Centro Volta in Italy has been promoting biosecurity education in European countries and organising wide range of workshops. See Landau Network Centro Volta. http://www.centrovolta.it/landau/2009/12/10/PromotingSustainableEducationAndAwarenessRaisingOnBiosecurityAndDualUse.aspx. Accessed 5 May 2011.
Since 1980, Review Conferences have taken place once every 5 years and the next Review Conference will take place in December 2011.
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Minehata, M., Sture, J., Shinomiya, N. et al. Implementing Biosecurity Education: Approaches, Resources and Programmes. Sci Eng Ethics 19, 1473–1486 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-011-9321-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-011-9321-z