Governance of Dual Use Research in the Life Sciences Advancing Global Consensus on Research Oversight: Proceedings of a Workshop (2018) / Chapter Skim
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4 Workshop Discussions
4 Workshop Discussions
Pages 79-98
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From page 79... ...
STRENGTHENING THE CURRENT GOVERNANCE LANDSCAPE The Importance of National and Institutional Spaces for Dual Use Discussions Countries use varied approaches to address concerns about dual use of life sciences research. For example, a participant suggested that the U.S.
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From page 80... ...
A participant suggested that the online presence of such bodies can also act as a centralizing focus of activity and can help identify and circulate information on measures such as codes or oversight mechanisms at the national level. In addition, a national body such as a dual use research advisory committee could play a role in reviewing selected proposals and providing advice to relevant government agencies on risk assessment and risk mitigation plans.
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From page 81... ...
There was, as such, no "one-size-fits-all" approach to dual use governance of life sciences research and specific measures need to be adapted to suit the context. Common Elements of the Layered Governance System Despite variety in the details of how governance of dual use life sciences may be implemented in diverse contexts, some participants suggested components of research oversight systems that might provide useful common elements (see Table 4-1)
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From page 82... ...
Research Conception Processes for considering the potential dual use risks and and Funding benefits associated with research proposals, coupled with the development of risk management plans. Conduct of Research Oversight systems at research-conducting institutions, including oversight processes for research projects beyond a set of specified agents and experiments (e.g., options for addressing governance of experiments that do not fall within the particular limits of "DURC" as defined by U.S.
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From page 83... ...
Building Common Understandings and Frameworks In the longer term, the process of mapping governance activities and progress could facilitate sharing of information, lessons learned, and best practices. It could allow stakeholders to build common global understandings and to create templates for governance strategies, policy options, training, and awareness raising that interested parties could adapt, taking into account the local context.
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From page 84... ...
Contributions of Social and Behavioral Sciences The workshop planning committee gave particular attention to the potential contributions that insights from the social and behavioral sciences could make to the design, implementation, and assessment of governance measures. The talks by Ruthanne Huising and Baruch Fischhoff described in Chapter 2 illustrate the contributions of several interdisciplinary fields, including decision science and organization studies.
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From page 85... ...
Funders may require documentation of institutional approvals addressing other aspects of research oversight (reviews for appropriate protection of human subjects, use of animals, use of recombinant DNA, etc.) prior to issuing an award or at least prior to such research commencing and one could envision similar institutional approvals for dual use research.
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From page 86... ...
Funding Participants also discussed how funding agencies, private foundations, and other funders can play valuable roles in dual use governance, particularly through requiring researchers to include an assessessment of dual use potential as part of the funding application process. As noted in Chapter 3, there are already examples of funding bodies, such as NIH in the United States and the joint initiative of the Wellcome Trust and the two government research councils for life sciences in the United Kingdom, that obligate applicants to consider dual use potential.
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From page 87... ...
DNA Synthesis Screening A number of research projects make use of nucleic acid sequences as part their activities. The growing capacity to reconstruct a pathogen from pieces of nucleic acid raises dual use concerns.
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From page 88... ...
Not all commercial providers are members of an organization that has adopted screening guidelines, such as IGSC, and existing screening guidelines would not necessarily capture sequences synthesized "in house" by a laboratory. As such, several participants cited synthesis screening as an important area to continue to discuss and develop as the industry and academic research environments evolve.
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From page 89... ...
Such governance strategies and tools could be an area for further exploration. Export Controls Several participants argued that conventional export control approaches were necessary but imperfect for contemporary governance of life sciences research.
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From page 90... ...
The number of activities undertaken in the areas of engagement and awareness raising has continued to increase. However, many participants indicated that more inclusive engagement will be required to reach a broader range of relevant actors and stimulate governance activities across the research life cycle.
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From page 91... ...
The series of regional workshops on the implications of science and technology for the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) convened with support from the European Union might provide an example.6 Engaging the Private Sector Several participants mentioned the role of the private sector in determining norms of practice and highlighted the need for better engagement with this community -- including those funding and insuring life sciences research.
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From page 92... ...
Several participants noted that the convening capacity of international meetings had proven useful in bringing networks together to move issues forward. One example was the 2005 discussions on codes of conduct under the BWC described in Chapter 3, which resulted in several national and international scientific organizations developing and disseminating an actual code or a set of principles to underlie one.
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From page 93... ...
These participants found particular success using active learning methods and team-based learning exercises. However, they also identified continuing challenges, including the need for sustained effort, the need to assess the effectiveness and impact of activities, the lack of staff trained to teach this aspect of responsible science, and the lack of time lecturers and teachers had to dedicate to understanding this topic.8 To help overcome these challenges, this group of participants identified a need to foster academic networks for promoting education and training on biosecurity and dual use; younger scientists were also noted as key in the delivery of education in a sustainable manner.
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From page 94... ...
Educational Materials Participants' experiences with educational materials suggested they were most effective when using concrete real-life examples that resonated with the local context. Some participants identified limited access to context-relevant materials, including active learning materials, as a barrier to further work on education.
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From page 95... ...
Multiple countries, universities, and nongovernmental organizations have now undertaken governance efforts; although the landscape can seem like a patchwork of activities, these efforts provide a base that can be built on to draw lessons, disseminate information on successful models, and improve coordination. Developing and building in assessment and gap analysis mechanisms to support evidence-based reporting would be useful, recognizing that one would be assessing the contributions of specific measures to mid-level goals since it would generally not be possible to "prove" that any initiative directly prevented the misuse of life sciences research.
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From page 96... ...
CLOSING REMARKS The workshop convened scientific and policy experts who brought perspectives from many types of governance activities and from multiple countries. The format was designed to consider these perspectives in the context of individual participants' experience and expertise rather than to formulate specific conclusions and recommendations.
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From page 97... ...
TABLE 4-3 Suggestions for Specific Actions Arising from Workshop Discussions Category Ideas and Next Steps Suggested at the Workshop Provide Venues to Further Encourage existing multilateral forums on emerging Dual Use Discussions science and technology to incorporate and discuss the issue of dual use life sciences research. Consider convening a regular event, workshop, or interest group to discuss issues in the governance of dual use life sciences research.
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From page 98... ...
Organizations Include information or guidance on dual use life sciences research where appropriate, for example, in reports and guidelines produced by the World Health Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, scientific professional societies, and other organizations. Improve Policy Options Incorporate social sciences expertise into the process and Implementation of developing and implementing life sciences governance policies.
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