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1.
The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) received two major blows in the past months. Negotiations for a protocol to strengthen the BTWC came to a halt and the Fifth Review Conference was unable to reach agreement on a final declaration. In addition, ongoing research projects, predominantly in the United States, are threatening to undermine the comprehensive ban on the development, production and use of biological weapons. This article provides two examples of research that exploit perceived loopholes in the BTWC or impinge on the scope of the Convention, namely the planned use of biological agents for forced drug eradication and the development of anti-material agents. 相似文献
2.
Concern has been expressed at successive Review Conferences of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) regarding the possible misuse of new biological knowledge; this article reviews some of these developments. Genetic manipulation, and genomics in particular, would modify existing pathogens and render previously harmless organisms pathogenic. Viruses could be modified as vectors to alter their pathogenicity in animals and man or act as carriers for genes or toxins. Plant pathogens, particularly fungi, could be modified as biological warfare agents against crops. An effective verification protocol for the BTWC is an essential part of the web of deterrence against these developments. 相似文献
3.
Neil Metcalfe 《Medicine, conflict, and survival》2013,29(3):271-282
Biological weapons have been used in war from the start of recorded history. This article reviews the history of the subject, including the outbreak of the Black Death and the use of smallpox against American Indians. The new science of microbiology was misused from soon after its start and, despite the 1925 Geneva Protocol, the Japanese experimented extensively on prisoners in China. The Allies carried out extensive research during the Second World War, notably the United Kingdom into anthrax on Gruinard Island and the United States into a variety of agents. Despite the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), a major programme continued in the former Soviet Union (leading to an accidental outbreak of anthrax). Most recently Iraq was revealed as having an extensive programme, with weaponization of large amounts of various agents, and several terrorists groups have attempted to use biological agents as weapons. Modern developments in biotechnology could lead to even more serious developments, and effective preventive measures, including strengthening of the BWC, are imperative. 相似文献
4.
The background to the failure of the December 2001 Fifth Review Conference of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) to agree a politically binding final declaration is discussed. Negotiations in the Ad Hoc Group (AHG) of the BTWC, which was set up after the 1994 Special Conference, are described. Accusations of non-compliance with the BTWC are not new and it is concluded that the ultimate failure of the 2001 Review Conference was principally, but not entirely, due to rejection by the United States that the AHG should remain in being. Strengthening the BTWC remains as important as ever, but it remains to be seen if there is the political will to achieve this. 相似文献
5.
John H. Humphrey CBE MD FRCP FRS 《Medicine, conflict, and survival》2013,29(1):23-30
Biological weapons (BW), although outlawed under the 1925 Geneva Convention, were studied in World War II, but were not used except on a small scale by the Japanese in Manchuria. The UN Disarmament Commission in 1959 failed to have BW eliminated because of the absence of agreed international verification. The Pugwash movement carried out trial inspections of microbiological establishments and concluded in 1966 that verification was possible. A WHO assessment in 1969 on chemical and biological weapons was that the effects on civilian populations could be very damaging, but that BW would not be militarily useful except for sabotage. The Biological Weapons Convention (1972) renounced biological warfare but permits relevant research for defence. Research on BW has recently been increased by the USA which claims that the USSR is using genetic engineering for this purpose. Research relevant to BW should not be carried out secretly nor under military auspices. 相似文献
6.
Wendy Barnaby 《Medicine, conflict, and survival》2013,29(4):301-313
The background to the risk of biological warfare is examined with particular reference to recent developments in biotechnology and genetic engineering. The provisions of and problems with the Biological Weapons Convention are discussed, with particular reference to verification. The role of doctors and scientists in issues related to research on biological warfare are considered; they should do more to inform the general public and press for appropriate action. 相似文献
7.
A short history of biological warfare 总被引:1,自引:0,他引:1
Metcalfe N 《Medicine, conflict, and survival》2002,18(3):271-282
Biological weapons have been used in war from the start of recorded history. This article reviews the history of the subject, including the outbreak of the Black Death and the use of smallpox against American Indians. The new science of microbiology was misused from soon after its start and, despite the 1925 Geneva Protocol, the Japanese experimented extensively on prisoners in China. The Allies carried out extensive research during the Second World War, notably the United Kingdom into anthrax on Gruinard Island and the United States into a variety of agents. Despite the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), a major programme continued in the former Soviet Union (leading to an accidental outbreak of anthrax). Most recently Iraq was revealed as having an extensive programme, with weaponization of large amounts of various agents, and several terrorists groups have attempted to use biological agents as weapons. Modern developments in biotechnology could lead to even more serious developments, and effective preventive measures, including strengthening of the BWC, are imperative. 相似文献
8.
Veronica Borrett Christopher M. Timperley Jonathan E. Forman Cheng Tang 《The Australian journal of forensic sciences》2013,45(6):611-622
The Chemical Weapons Convention (hereinafter ‘the Convention’), an international disarmament and non-proliferation treaty, entered into force in 1997. It prohibits the development, stockpiling, transfer and use of chemical weapons. Today there are 193 nations (‘States Parties’) that are members. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), in The Hague, is the implementing body of the Convention. Herein we outline the verification regime of the Convention and how the work of the OPCW has evolved in recent years in response to the use of chemical warfare agents (CWAs), as well as potential impacts from advances in science and technology (S&T). We describe challenges recognized from recent contingency operations in response to the use of CWAs and how S&T might support the development of safe and effective approaches to verification. The role of OPCW’s Scientific Advisory Board and its Temporary Working Group on Investigative Science and Technology are discussed; specifically, how scientific advice supports the development of the capability for the verification of alleged use of CWAs, as well as informing the decisions made by policymakers. The importance of engagement with forensic agencies for the continuing development of state-of-the-art approaches to verification is highlighted. 相似文献
9.
Hansen B 《Medicine and law》2004,23(1):19-28
National regulation on embryonic stem cell research in the European Union is ambiguous, due to a lack of consistent scientific terminology as exemplified by the Dutch Embryos Act. To force a breakthrough in this ethically dubious research topic, a more careful use of terminology would be in the interest of both the scientific community and the lawmakers, in order to avoid terminology becoming associated with research or applications for which it is inappropriate. Therefore I will first clarify the technological possibilities in an age of biological control. Secondly, we will critically analyse the statements of the European Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine concerning embryo research and cloning. The Convention prohibits human reproductive cloning but does not take a clear position on so-called therapeutic cloning. Finally, we will give an overview of the most recent legislative initiatives within the European Union on this matter. 相似文献
10.
Graham S. Pearson 《Medicine, conflict, and survival》2013,29(1):42-59
The danger from deliberate disease as a weapon of war ‐ biological weapons ‐ is examined and it is concluded that biological weapons currently pose the greatest danger of all weapons of mass destruction. The ongoing work of the Ad Hoc Group negotiating a Protocol to strengthen the effectiveness and improve the implementation of the Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention is analysed. The Protocol is nearing completion and contains provisions for declarations of the most relevant facilities, for declaration follow up procedures including infrequent randomly‐selected visits to declared sites, for investigations of non‐compliance concerns as well as measures to promote international co‐operation for peaceful purposes in microbiology and biotechnology. It is concluded that an efficient and effective Protocol is achievable within the coming year. 相似文献
11.
G B Knudson 《Military medicine》1991,156(6):267-271
Our concern over possible use of weapons of mass destruction against U.S. forces in the Middle East has increased because Iraq has violated the Geneva Protocol of 1925 and the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention, attempted to acquire nuclear capability and delivery systems, and is reported to be developing biological weapons. The Army Medical Department has had no experience, since World War I, in the management and treatment of mass casualties contaminated by chemical agents, and has never treated casualties resulting from the use of nuclear or biological weapons used against our soldiers. Management and diagnosis of casualties will be complicated by their possible exposure to a mixture of chemical warfare and biological warfare agents. Triage is an essential aspect in the management of mass casualties since the number of injured patients will exceed the maximum medical capability to treat each patient on arrival. All levels of medical support must be prepared to protect themselves, their equipment and supplies, and their patients from contamination. In contaminated operations on the integrated battlefield, it will be of utmost importance to incorporate flexibility and innovation to match the medical and tactical situation. 相似文献
12.
随着个体化治疗和转化医学的发展,生物样本库作为临床与科研转化间的桥梁,越来越受到人们的重视,以至越来越多的单位投入到了生物样本库的建设大潮中。但在众多的建设中也出现了一些问题和隐患,包括缺乏统一的建设标准(求量忘了质)、资源利用率不足(求存不求用)。在消化系疾病生物样本库建设过程中建立了严格可行的质量体系,质量控制方案贯穿于样本的收集、整理、入库、应用以及有计划地随机抽检等各个环节,以保证样本的质量;同时,消化系疾病生物样本库也把样本的信息建设作为重要建设内容,除了让样本具备完整的临床信息,还重视随访信息与科研数据信息的更新完善与反馈收集。西京消化病医院初步建立了较高“综合质量”的消化系疾病生物样本库,满足了临床、科学研究的许多需求,发挥了消化系疾病临床与科研转化的桥梁作用。 相似文献
13.
Boulton F 《Medicine, conflict, and survival》2003,19(4):326-330
The properties of potential biological weapon agents for bioterrorism include a consistent effect at low dosage and short incubation period in a population of low immunity, being difficult to treat, able to be produced in bulk, stable in storage and readily disseminated. Possible agents include smallpox, haemorrhagic fever viruses, anthrax, tularaemia and plague. The example of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) demonstrates the possible consequences of an act of bioterrorism, but also the necessary global response. There is scepticism about the practicability of surveillance schemes and the global elimination of biological weapons though the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention remains urgent. 相似文献
14.
Hay A 《Medicine, conflict, and survival》2000,16(1):37-41
There were about 50,000 deaths from chemical agents in the First World War and 7,000 deaths in the Kurdish population of Iraq from mustard gas and nerve agents. Signatories to the 1925 Geneva Protocol forswore first use of chemical warfare, but were allowed to maintain stockpiles, and there were no sanctions against use. The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which entered into force in 1997, establishes timetables for declaration of current and past CW activity and destruction of stocks. The Convention allows inspection of suspect sites. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has been established to give effect to the CWC, which, as of June 1999, has 125 States Parties. Progress in reporting and destroying CW agents is described. It is essential that participation in the CWC becomes universal, but until this is the case monitoring by other agencies will be needed. 相似文献
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16.
芥子气被称为“毒剂之王”,除被用作化学武器外,近年来也成为恐怖活动的主要威胁手段之一。在应对芥子气引起的化学恐怖袭击和突发化学应急事件时,对其进行快速而准确可靠的侦检是一切救援行动的关键。对芥子气中毒人员体内诊断标志物分离检测技术的研究一直是军事分析化学家关注的热点问题。本文针对芥子气的中毒机制及体内代谢途径,综述了各类芥子气体内代谢标志物(如芥子气的水解产物、谷胱甘肽加合物、DNA加合物及蛋白加合物)的检测方法及最新进展。 相似文献
17.
Reflecting a consensus that emerged at the 2008 Meeting of States Parties of the Biological Weapons Convention on the importance of ensuring that those working in the biological sciences are aware of their obligations under the Convention and relevant national legislation and guidelines; and in regard to the consensus on the importance of awareness raising and education and training programmes, and of the role that these can play in assisting in the implementation of the Convention, this paper highlights how novel online e-learning approaches can efficiently and effectively be deployed in building a sustainable worldwide capability in this much neglected area of education and training. It provides examples of the development and evolution of education and training resources, notes the importance of standing agenda items for the intersessional process of the BWC between the Seventh and Eight Review Conferences and the range of opportunities that therefore arise for States Party and civil society collaboration in building capacity and achieving sustainability in this area. 相似文献
18.
前列腺癌是男性泌尿系统最常见的恶性肿瘤之一。miRNA是近年来发现的一类长度为19~23 bp核苷酸的非编码小分子RNA,参与调节许多重要的细胞生物学行为,甚至在肿瘤的发生中发挥关键作用。前列腺癌基于血液miRNA生物标志物的研究不断涌现,但未发现特异性细胞外miRNA标志物。研究前列腺癌miRNA表达规律、作用机制,对深入探讨前列腺癌的发病机制、探索新的诊断和治疗途径意义重大。笔者主要综述针对健康人群、前列腺癌患者、转移性前列腺癌患者中不同miRNA丰度的不同,及前列腺癌miRNA对辐射敏感性的调节作用,试图探索miRNA作为前列腺癌生物标志物的线索。 相似文献
19.
英国生物银行(UK Biobank)是一个由英国政府发起并建立的大型生物医学队列研究数据库。该数据库招募了全英国50万名参与者,通过采集生物样本和调查问卷等多种形式,获得了基于大样本人群的遗传、生活环境和健康数据,并在官网定期公开和更新这些数据。UK Biobank可供全球获得授权的研究人员和科学家访问,主要用于严重威胁人类健康的慢性病为主的各项研究。目前发表的研究论文超过2 300篇,对于探究健康与疾病的关系、改善公共健康具有重要贡献。就UK Biobank的发展历程、项目设计、相关研究进展及发展方向进行介绍。 相似文献
20.
Piers D. Millett 《Medicine, conflict, and survival》2013,29(4):303-317
The Fifth Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention, in November 2002, was the first to fail to produce a Final Document. It saw heated debate on non‐compliance with the spirit of the prohibitions that it enshrines and marked the collapse of almost ten years of negotiations attempting to create a Protocol to strengthen the Convention. What was to emerge was a new process, very different from the traditional tools of arms control. This article examines the events that culminated in this drastic new approach, details the nature of this new process and discusses the possible short‐, medium‐ and long‐term impact of these events on the norm against the weaponization of disease. 相似文献