Genetic engineering could make biological weapons more attractive to aggressors by making them more rapid and effective at causing death or disease or by enabling weapons to be targeted at certain ethnic groups. Crops and animals may also be the targets of biological weapons.  2001 is crucial for biological arms control - proposals for new, more stringent international laws due for agreement in December now hang in the balance.

This conference (program overleaf) will provide up-to-date information on genetic technologies and biological weapons, how to prevent their production and use, and the international negotiations taking place.  It will also look at the special role scientists will have to play in ensuring their knowledge is not abused.  The conference will be of interest to scientists, the biotechnology industry, the media, and all those interested in genetics, peace and arms control.  It be a key opportunity to join leading experts in a discussion about how we can avoid the genetic technologies escalating the threat of biological weapons.

Biological Weapons and the New Genetics - Avoiding the Threat

School of Oriental and African Studies, Russell Square, London

10.00am to 4.30pm, Friday 18th May 2001

9.30 - 10.00

Coffee and registration

10.00 - 10.10 Introduction: Dr Sue Mayer, GeneWatch UK

10.10 - 11.35 Biological Weapons and the New Genetics A brief history of biological weapons: Dr Brian Balmer, UCL The potential for abuse of genetics in biological weapons: Professor Malcolm Dando, Dept of Peace Studies, University of Bradford Response: Professor Peter Biggs, former Director of Animal Disease Research, AFRC, member of the Royal Society's working group on biological weapons Discussion chaired by Dr Sue Mayer

11.35 - 11.50 Coffee

11.50 - 13.00 Verification and Compliance

Verification and compliance ? what’s needed: Dr Oliver Meier, VERTIC Response: Dr David Kelly (ex-UNSCOM inspector Iraq and Russia) Discussion: chair to be confirmed

13.00 - 13.45 Lunch

13.45 - 15.00 The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention

The Protocol to the BWTC - where it stands now: Jez Littlewood, Dept of Peace Studies, University of Bradford Response: Dr Jeff Kipling, Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry Discussion chaired by Professor Julian Perry-Robinson, University of Sussex

15.00 - 16.20 Additional Measures for Security

Beyond the Protocol: Jan van Aken, Sunshine Project , Germany What can the scientific and medical communities do?: Dr Alistair Hay, University of Leeds Discussion chaired by Dr Sue Mayer, GeneWatch UK

16.20 - 16.30 Summing Up

Cost:  £10 (£5 unwaged), including lunch (vegetarian).

NB: Places are limited so it is advisable to book as early as possible. I would like to reserve ”¦”¦ places @ £10 and ”¦”¦ places @ £5 at the conference on Biological Weapons and the New Genetics. [cheques payable to Genewatch UK]

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