National Series Lecture 1 Introduction Kazakhstan

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National SeriesLecture 1IntroductionKazakhstan

• Bradford Disarmament Research CentreDivision of
  Peace Studies, University of Bradford, UK

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Outline

• Where we are in the early 21st century
• Outline of the following lectures
• What we should know (learning outcome)
• What we can do (policy contribution)

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What is Life Science?

• Any field of science that is leading to or has
  the potential to lead to an enhanced
  understanding of living organisms, especially
  human life.
• E.g. Biology, proteomics, genetic engineering,
  nanotechnology, aerosol technology, chemistry and
  mathematics
• (National Research Council, 2006 27)

• Applied in
• Public health, Medicine, Agriculture, Energy,
  Environment and National security studies

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Biotechnology An integral part of national
strategy in the 21st Century
A growing market in Biotechnology the
pharmaceutical market (National Research
Council, 2006 85)
Region Annual Worth Share
North America 204 Billion 51
Europe 102 Billion 25
Japan 47 Billion 12
Asia, Africa, Australia 32 Billion 8
Latin America 17 Billion 4

• Similar results in number of researchers and
  the amount of private investment for RD in the
  life sciences
• Rapid growth in the Asia-Pacific and the Middle
  East
• (ErnstYoung 2011, FrostSullivan 2010)

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Kazakhstan National Academy of Sciences

• National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of
  Kazakhstan
• The National Academy of Sciences of the Republic
  of Kazakhstan was founded in 1946 as a state
  institution that joins active members
  (academicians), corresponding-members and leading
  scientists of the Republic.
• The main activity of the Academy is scientific
  research, analysis and prognosis of science
  development priority directions of science
  development and scientific personnel training
  scientific and expert provision, formation and
  coordination of scientific programmes promotion
  of international cooperation, innovation and
  investment activity development.
• Research is carried out in a number of areas,
  including earth sciences, mathematics,
  informatics, physics, remote sensing and space
  technologies, chemistry, new materials,
  biologically active substances, biochemistry and
  physiology of plants, botany, soil sciences,
  social and humanitarian sciences.
• (IAP 2012)

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Kazakhstan National Center for Biotechnology

• National Center for Biotechnology of the Republic
  of Kazakhstan under the Science Committee of the
  Ministry of Education and Science (hereinafter -
  NCB) is the leading research center in the
  country, implementing the state policy on support
  and development of biotechnology sector. The
  Center coordinates and conducts government funded
  science and technology programs in the field of
  biotechnology, biosafety and ecology.
• The research staff of NCB includes 350 highly
  qualified specialists in the field of
  biotechnology, molecular biology, genetics,
  biochemistry, microbiology, virology, immunology
  and pharmacology

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PubMed search with Kazakhstan
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Publication

• Biotechnology. Theory and Practice scientific
  journal has been published by National Center for
  Biotechnology since 1997. The journal publishes
  fundamental and applied - character articles,
  which reflect research outcomes in the field of
  biotechnology of microorganisms, plants and
  animals and ecological, veterinary and medicine
  biotechnology in Kazakhstan and beyond.
• The journal is included in the List of
  publishers, recommended by the Control Committee
  in the Sphere of Education and Science of
  Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic
  of Kazakhstan for publication of research
  activitys basic results. Its International
  Standard Serial Number is ISSN 1028-9399
• Publication conditions and more detailed
  information is on the journals
  web-site www.biotechlink.org.

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Kazakhstan Scientific Collaborative Network
(UNESCO)

• Kazakhstan Scientific Collaborative Network is a
  Website prototype, which presents scientific and
  technological research information and
  institutions in Kazakhstan. . This "Website" is
  the beginning of online network of institutions
  and researchers for exchanges of scientific and
  technological information.
• The "Website" consists of information regarding
  academic institutions, national centers, NGO's,
  private research institutes, proceedings,
  research achievements, urgent issues to address
  and current debates. 
• Website prototype was created under UNESCO
  programme on Teaching and Learning for a
  Sustainable Future and Cross-Disciplinary
  Partnerships and Increasing Access to Scientific
  Information within the framework of the 2001
  UNESCO Almaty Workplan for Science and in
  follow-up to the World Conference on Science

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Investment Ministry of Industry and New
Technology of the Republic of Kazakhstan

• Biotechnology
• Currently, home-produced medicines are 11 in
  Kazakhstan (including 1.1 of vaccines),
  veterinary drugs are 78 , and the rest drugs are
  imported. The main problem for Kazakhstan is the
  lack of original domestic biotechnological
  medicines, although there are promising pilot
  developments.
• Development of starter cultures, enzymatic drugs,
  dietary supplements and probiotics for the food
  and processing industry is another priority of
  biotechnology.
• The main task for industry development
  development and introduction of high technologies
  and competitive biotechnological products for
  health care and agriculture, environment
  protection, food and processing industry.

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Investment Ministry of Industry and New
Technology of the Republic of Kazakhstan

• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Kazakhstan depends on import of pharmaceutical
  raw material (substances), equipment and packing
  materials significantly. As of 2010, Kazakhstan
  medicine output is 11.4 of common pharmaceutical
  market, export is 1.6 and import is 90.2.
• Pharmaceutical industry of Kazakhstan depends on
  import of pharmaceutical raw material
  (substances), equipment and packing materials
  significantly.
• As of June 1, 2011, 7 major large and medium
  pharmaceutical enterprises and plants have been
  registered.
• Niche projects of pharmaceutical industry are
  the following1) Construction of plant on
  production of single-use medical goods of
  polymeric materials  Almaty2) Construction of
  plant on production of infusion solutions, pills,
  capsules and syrups  Almaty region

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Relevant Useful Information by the International
Science and Technology Center (ISTC)

• The ISTC website provides a comprehensive work
  done by the institution in Kazakhstan.
• Those include not only biological science
  capacity building but also other projects on
  nuclear and chemical fields.
• ISTCs collaboration details with the National
  Biotechnology Center of Kazakhstan includes
• K-1279 Artificial Seeds for Phytoremediation, K-
  1279.2 Artificial Seeds for Phytoremediation, K-
  1511 Wheat Yellow Rust, K-1955 Obsolete
  Organic Pesticides in Kazakhstan, K-415
  Anti-Fungal Biopreparations for Animals, K-790
  Identification and Separation of Kazakhstan's
  Natural Products

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Nanotechnology in Kazakhstan

• Collaboration with Russia
• The final documents were signed in Astana
  earlier today to set up a Russian-Kazakh
  Nanotechnology Venture Fund.
• The fund, established in keeping with the
  agreements between President Dmitry Medvedev and
  his Kazakh counterpart, Nursultan Nazarbayev, is
  due to encourage the two countries joint effort
  to promote innovation in both nations.
• The funds 100 million dollars will be invested
  in projects in Russia and Kazakhstan on a parity
  basis. Investments will be made in power
  production, including alternative sources of
  energy in oil and gas production,
  telecommunications, biotechnology, electronics
  and environment-oriented technologies. http//eng
  lish.ruvr.ru/2011/12/21/62605700/

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Why do we care? Should this be an issue for us?

• The dual-use nature of science and technology
• Every major technology metallurgy, explosives,
  internal combustion, aviation, electronics,
  nuclear energy has been intensively exploited,
  not only for peaceful purposes but also for
  hostile ones.
• Must this also happen with biotechnology,
  certain to be a dominant technology of the
  twenty-first century?
• Matthew Meselson Professor of Molecular Biology
  at Harvard University
• (Meselson, 2000 16)

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Meselsons Forecast in 2000

• Ability
• Our ability to modify fundamental life processes
  continues its rapid advance
• We will be able not only to devise additional
  ways to destroy life but will also become able to
  manipulate it
• Dilemma
• This has a Vast potential for beneficial
  application and could have inimical consequences
  for the course of civilization.

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Meselsons Forecast in 2000

• At present, we appear to be approaching a
  crossroads a time that will test whether
  biotechnology
• Will come to be intensively exploited for hostile
  purposes, or
• Our species will find the collective wisdom to
  take a different course.

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Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention
(BTWC)1972

• Article I
• Each State Party to this Convention undertakes
  never in any circumstances to develop, produce,
  stockpile or otherwise acquire or retain
• 1. Microbial or other biological agents or toxins
  whatever their origin or method of production, of
  types and in quantities that have no
  justification for prophylactic, protective or
  other peaceful purposes.
• This applies not only to states but also to
  non-state actors

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Science and Security Dual-Use

• The need for a broader conceptualisation of
  dual-use
• Biological agents and toxins can be used for
  hostile purposes without weaponization and
  technology is typically diffused globally for
  peaceful purposes
• Hostile use can take the form of criminal acts or
  terrorist acts (non-state level) in parallel to
  military application (state level),
• The BTWC prohibits the misuse of the life
  sciences by both states and non-state actors

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Kazakhstan and international regimes

• WMD
• Kazakhstan inherited nuclear-tipped missiles, a
  nuclear weapon test site, and biological and
  chemical weapon production facilities when the
  Soviet Union collapsed. In its first decade of
  independence, Kazakhstan dismantled and destroyed
  Soviet weapons systems and facilities left on its
  territory, and signed major international
  nonproliferation treaties.
• BTWC
• Accession (15 June 2007)
• Kazakhstan is home to a significant number of
  anti-plague facilities, that were part of the
  Soviet biological warfare (BW) effort. In June
  2007, Kazakhstan acceded to the Biological Toxin
  and Weapons Convention (BWC). Kazakh President
  Nazarbayev has declared Kazakhstan's commitment
  to biological weapons nonproliferation. However,
  the state is not yet a member of the Australia
  Group.
• (Nuclear Threat Initiative 2012)

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Kazakhstan and international regimes

• CWC
• Signature (14 January 1993) Ratification (10
  December 1999)
• Kazakhstan inherited one known chemical weapons
  production plant in the city of Pavlodar. This
  plant probably was designed to replace aging
  plants in Volgograd and Novocheboksarsk (Russia)
  for the production of the binary agent
  "novichok." The plant's construction was halted
  in 1987, after the Soviet Union became involved
  in CWC-related negotiations, so it never produced
  any chemical warfare agents. Kazakhstan joined
  the CWC in March 2000. However, Kazakhstan
  submitted a nil declaration, leaving out the
  Pavlodar facility.
• (Nuclear Threat Initiative 2012)

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National Series Lecture Outline

• 2. Biosecurity Threats
• 3. The Web of Prevention
• 4. National Measures
• 5. Responsibility of Scientists

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Reviewing threats (Lecture 2)
Natural outbreaks of infectious disease
Safety/accidental risks at laboratories
Manmade threats warfare, crime and terrorism
Unpredictable future of the life sciences

• No single focal point of threats
• Potential actors, material and information, which
  can be related to dual-use issues, exist at
  international, regional, national, local and
  individual levels.

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The Web of Prevention (WoP) (Lecture 3)

• To address natural outbreaks of infectious
  disease
• Public health preparedness and response planning
• To address safety/accidental risks
• Laboratory regulations to safely manage
  dangerous pathogens and toxins, to prevent an
  accidental release into the environment and
  unauthorized access
• To address manmade threats
• Strong international arms control agreements with
  effective national implementation
• Internationally coordinated export controls
• Intelligence
• Biodefense
• To address the unpredictable future of the life
  sciences
• Oversight Review of security-sensitive science
  and technology developments
• Responsible conduct in research through education

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Natural threats
Safety risks
Manmade threats
Governance of science
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National implementation (Lecture 4)
To National Context
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National implementation (Lecture 4)
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Worldwide engagement of life scientists with the
WoP will
The need for responsible conduct in
research(Lecture 5)

• Effectively strengthen biosecurity measures by
  requiring the engagement of practicing scientists
• Prevent unnecessary restriction of scientific
  freedoms

Engagement of informed life scientists about
biosecurity issues is key to successful security

• Education of, and capacity building among,
  scientists on biosecurity issues is necessary for
  successful security
• Uninformed scientists no effective science
  policy inputs to the WoP

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Biosecurity Definition issues

• The term biosecurity has been conceptualised
  differently across various scientific and
  professional disciplines
• Areas The term has been used in ecology,
  agriculture, food supply, arms control and public
  health contexts, with different meanings and
  conceptualisations
• Policy processes these overlap with
  interdisciplinary areas such as biosafety,
  counter-terrorism, agricultural biosecurity and
  biodiversity
• Linguistic In addition to these conceptual
  complications, biosecurity has also experienced
  linguistic complications
• (Fidler and Gostin 2007, Sunshine Project 2003,
  Barletta 2002)

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National SeriesWoP Biosecurity Education
Biosecurity Competency
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References

• The references cited in this lecture are viewable
  in the Notes section of this presentation.