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1 Security Context for Geographical Expansion of the Biological Threat Reduction Program of the Department of Defense
Pages 25-46

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From page 25...
... This system is devoted to upgrading capabilities of partner governments to detect, characterize, and respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases, and particularly diseases associated with especially dangerous pathogens. BTRP also assists partner governments in developing biosecurity policies and regulations at the national level and provides training and technical assistance at the facility level.
From page 26...
... However, both the governments and the populations know that naturally occurring infectious diseases cause suffering and deaths. They can have
From page 27...
... Thus, it is not surprising that the capability of developing countries for addressing disease outbreaks initiated by terrorists are usually very weak, and in some countries essentially nonexistent. At the same time, promoting sustainable security that overcomes weaknesses that inhibit reliable reporting and treatment of diseases in distant lands is critical in advancing the far-ranging interests of the United States.
From page 28...
... Whether a dangerous infectious disease reaches the United States through a deliberate terrorist attack, through a sick passenger on international travel, or through the import of an animal for a zoo, the human suffering and the costs in
From page 29...
... Box 1-3 presents a similar view that has been held by the Department of State for several years. As to naturally occurring biological threats, Box 1-4 highlights the presence of especially dangerous pathogens in sub-Saharan Africa.
From page 30...
... At the same time there has been a rise in highly organized and well financed transnational terrorist groups that have shown an interest in bioterrorism…. Although many nations have recently taken steps to improve their ability to detect and respond domestically to a bioterrorist incident, few programs are designed to prevent terrorists from acquiring, developing, and disseminating the technology and materials to produce biological weapons." SOURCE: Department of State presentation of 2006 estimate to the committee, May 22, 2008.
From page 31...
... P 15 in The Biological Threat Reduction Program of the Department of Defense: From Foreign Assistance to Sustainable Partnerships.
From page 32...
... There are no vaccines for many livestock diseases, which could spread rapidly if introduced into feed lots in developing countries as well as in the industrialized countries. Introducing diseases onto vulnerable crops seems relatively easy to execute and particularly dangerous in countries where high concentrations of monocultures with limited genetic diversity are susceptible to the spread of contagious plant diseases.
From page 33...
... government-wide criteria for ranking countries of concern, although the Department of State, CDC, and other organizations are developing their own models in this regard. See, for example, International Biological Threat Reduction Program, Sandia National Laboratories.
From page 34...
... For example, in some countries a central modern biotechnology facility stands apart from more rudimentary facilities located in areas distant from this central facility. In Pakistan, both the research productivity and the level of effective security at the country's dozens of bioscience and biotechnology facilities vary considerably.
From page 35...
... THE GLOBAL SPREAD OF BIOTECHNOLOGY Rapid scientific advances in the life sciences and in biotechnology and the increasing global dissemination of research results will continue to make important contributions to improving global health and international agriculture for the foreseeable future. Medical researchers are using ever more sophisticated techniques to manipulate microorganisms in their efforts to combat infectious diseases through more effective vaccines and drugs and through improved diagnostic methods.
From page 36...
... Transparency that accompanies exchanges of information can help provide international confidence that the intent of individuals and groups engaged in biological activities is to use biological assets for appropriate, and not for malevolent, purposes. However, security measures to contain scientific advances with dualuse implications may prevent international exchanges of some information and thereby inhibit scientific advances while raising suspicion as to why information is being withheld.
From page 37...
... The growing access to highly sophisticated tools that could be used to construct biological weapons is expanding the character of the biological threat. In this regard, the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity has recommended that careful consideration be given to knowledge, products, or technologies that could pose threats on many fronts (see Box 1-8)
From page 38...
... Each of these countries has several vaccines and drugs on the market. While the efficacy and safety of such products produced in developing countries are of concern, this topic was beyond the scope of this study. In short, specialists involved in biotechnology activities should be aware of the potential security implications as well as the business opportunities that are accompanying the rapid advances in the life sciences.10  Frew, S
From page 39...
... In short, cooperative programs designed to control only dangerous chemical agents or only dangerous biological agents will continue to be important. But sharp separation of these two approaches may not be the most effective approach in reducing the risks of terrorism resulting from advances in chemistry and biology.11 Is the expanding overlap of chemistry and biology of significance in developing countries?
From page 40...
... Further to counter that threat, it called upon all States according to their national legisla tion and consistent with international law to cooperate in preventing illicit trafficking in such weapons, means of delivery, and related materials.14 Another major international achievement has been development of international guidelines that are designed to limit the proliferation of pathogens and of critical equipment needed for the production of some classes of biological agents. Within the informal setting of the Australia Group, more than 40 of the world's leading industrial countries have developed these guidelines.
From page 41...
... As indicated in Box 1-9, developing countries may have serious implementation problems. Other international actions that warrant mention are the World Trade Organization Phytosanitary Standards and the Codex Alimentarius Standards, which help prevent the spread of contaminants in international trade; the International Plant Protection Convention, which helps control exports and imports that might spread pests (available online at www.ippc.int/IPP/En/default.jsp)
From page 42...
... Box 1-10 identifies several codes of conduct and related types of international pronouncements. DOD's Involvement in Developing Countries In 1997, in accordance with a decision of President Clinton, DOD expanded its role in addressing threats to the United States and to other nations posed by infectious diseases that were emerging or reemerging throughout the world.15 Requirements for demonstrating direct linkages between proposed DOD health-related activities abroad and the health of U.S.
From page 43...
... interests abroad through destabilizing key institutions, obstructing trade and human migration, slowing or reversing economic growth, fomenting social unrest, and complicating U.S. response to refugee situations by increasing the demand for humanitarian intervention and through their association with biological terrorism and warfare.16 DOD has underscored the validity of this NIE by pointing to the international significance of the quick emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome in 2003 and avian influenza in 2005.17 From DOD's perspective, infectious diseases are a national security issue, and DOD must respond to the threat that they pose.
From page 44...
... AN EXPANDED PROGRAM TO ENHANCE BIOSECURITY Recommendation 1-1: DOD should, within the U.S. government's evolving global biological engagement strategy, promptly expand BTRP into selected developing countries beyond the FSU.
From page 45...
... This financial challenge requires careful analyses of where and how BTRP can achieve the greatest impact in risk reduction within the context of commitments of both local and international commitments to biosecurity. Recommendation 1-2: BTRP's initial engagement activities in any developing country outside the FSU should be planned to last for up to 5 years, with consideration given to extending engagement activities for another 5 years depending on initial successes in reducing biological threats and the future importance of continued engagement.
From page 46...
... The remainder of this report addresses how enhanced biosecurity capabilities in developing countries can help prevent groups or individuals with hostile intentions from obtaining and dispersing harmful biological agents. It describes conditions in a variety of countries and provides a menu of activities that could be undertaken by BTRP.


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