Roots and Trajectories of Violent Extremism and Terrorism A Cooperative Program of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the Russian Academy of Sciences (1995-2020) (2022) / Chapter Skim
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2 Acceptable Limits on Biological Research
2 Acceptable Limits on Biological Research
Pages 27-48
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2 Acceptable Limits on Biological Research Reproducing intensively and colonizing territories, humankind itself creates new possibilities for the reproduction, spread, and variation of infectious pathogens. Nature is the world's chief bioterrorist.
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• Social economics and psychological effects of the pandemic and methods of assessing, mitigating, and overcoming its negative effects and interconnected emerging humanitarian risks and needs. • Strengthening global security from biological threats.
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1997–1998: Eight pilot bioresearch projects developed by the NAS carried out at two key Russian research institutes. 1998–2009: Long-term commitment of the DOD/DTRA to support NAS biocooperation with Russian partners.
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2013: NAS report, prepared in cooperation with the RAS, on the unique U.S.-Russian relationship in biological science and technology. NOTE: More than 30 Russian offices, research centers, enterprises, and other facilities that were engaged in various aspects of biologi cal science and technology hosted American participants during the aforementioned activities.
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The director quickly offered a proposal for a meeting to join forces with the NAS along with other foreign organizations that shared his newly founded interest in promoting redirection of Russian scientists and engineers from military to civilian pursuits. A tour of a few conference and display rooms of Biopreparat head quarters highlighted products intended for the civilian market.
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The 3-day affair would bring together American and Russian officials and scientists to identify opportunities for collaboration. The Americans could learn about the latent capabilities of his research institutions while he learned about interests of potential financial sponsors within foreign governments and within private industry.
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Also, alumni of service at the Kirov institute were occasionally encountered in leadership positions at other important research centers within Russia. One of the most significant activities in opening the closed national security complex, which isolated Biopreparat researchers from western collaborators who were also interested in investigating activities involving highly dangerous pathogens in Russia, was the launching of eight pilot projects that
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BROADENING THE SCOPE OF COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES Following the successful carrying out of the aforementioned pilot projects, the two Russian research centers where the projects had been undertaken became magnets for attracting U.S. scientists.
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Located in the heart of Siberia, VECTOR was led from its inception by Academician Lev Stepanovich Sandakchiev, a legendary research leader. By 2000, he personally welcomed visitors to facilities where the Russian researchers had seldom seen visitors from the United States and other coun tries.
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government agencies and foundations to help guide and evaluate bioscience programs supported by the agencies. The total support of NAS activities for a decade, including strong support from DOD/DTRA, was about $4 million.
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But the Russian scientist apparently believed that the simplicity of spreading deadly biological agents should be widely discussed to gain support for research that could counter the threat.11 As interest in bilateral cooperation expanded, DOD/DTRA asked the NAS to conduct scientific reviews of research projects proposed by Russian institutes for financial support. More than 80 proposals were reviewed, with the average cost for a project if it were implemented being about $300,000.
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These activities had a modest impact on Russian approaches in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. • Pillar 1 – Improving Surveillance and Response: Many upgraded State Epidemiology Surveillance Centers for surveillance diagnosis, analysis, and communication of infectious disease episodes at the oblast and local levels were established.
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reducing agricultural pests and pathogens, and (c) reducing environmental problems.14 Also, the same report highlighted the importance of easing visa problems in traveling in both directions, effectively addressing tax and customs issues, protecting intellectual property, adopting proper procedures for international shipment of specimens, and complying with export control requirements.15 NEAR-TERM IMPACTS OF THE BIODEFENSE PROGRAM In 2007, the NAS carried out an evaluation of the impacts of the bio defense program supported by the DOD/DTRA in Russia.
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• Participation in scientific conferences and training programs abroad by specialists from the region who had not previously traveled abroad. • Increased publication by local scientists in peer-reviewed inter national journals of research findings, which demonstrated their new capabilities to participate in international scientific activities.
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• All aspects of equipment selection, use, and maintenance need to be given early consideration when collaboration requires new equip ment. Also, compliance with local quality assurance environmental requirements needs special attention.17 Lessons learned by research scientists included the following: • Too often interested parties incorrectly assume that government approval of a collaborative project means that financial support will be provided by one or both of the governments until the project is completed.
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• Professional rewards from joint projects can be highly visible, and they may encourage others to engage in international programs.18 BROADENING INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION AND THE WAY AHEAD In 2008, at the height of U.S.-Russian collaboration in determining biological research priorities, Russian colleagues reported the following research findings that opened important doors for long-term collaboration: The commercial breeding of the rare palm civets for their meat was the source of severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by SARS coronavirus in China. The Chinese recently started eating palm civet meat and breeding the animals, and civets frequently carry the coronavirus.
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Joint U.S.-Russian academy efforts to reach out to biological institutions and scientists in other countries, either within the context of activities of international organizations or simply bilaterally, were repeatedly considered during implementation of bilateral activities discussed in this report. An important step in the formalization of joint efforts directed to activities in other countries was taken in 2013 when the NAS and the Siberian Branch of the RAS joined efforts to help strengthen biosecurity activities in four countries in Central Asia.
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For them to be able to draw on both U.S. and Russian mentors can avoid waste of time and money and reduce international misunderstanding and confusion.
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2007. The Biological Threat Reduction Program of the Department of Defense.
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Op. cit., Biological Threat Reduction Program, p.
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ACCEPTABLE LIMITS ON BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH 47 Participants in RAS-NAS Workshop on Biological Safety and Security Held in Novosibirsk, Russia, in 2014 for Specialists from Central Asia. Source: Photograph provided by Novosibirsk State University for unlimited distribution.
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