Series:

Global Issues

3 total works

Cover of Neuroscience and the Future of Chemical-Biological Weapons
This study is concerned with the potential misuse of advances in neuroscience. Recently, fears surrounding the abuse of benignly-intended research in the life sciences - the dual-use problem - have focused on 'Gain-of Function' experiments, in which deadly influenza viruses have been made transmissible through the air. However, many other aspects of the life sciences, besides the study of viruses, could be subject to hostile misuse. There is a century-long history of the development of novel neuroweapons, which is based on civil research and a vast, ongoing increase in research funding. These developments underpin an attempt to produce a mechanistic understanding of brain functions, which risk being subjected to misuse in the future. This study does not propose that this benignly-intended work be reined in, nor suggest that neuroscientists bear the sole responsibility for preventing the misuse of their work. However, they remain inextricably involved and should, one could argue, assume a certain level of accountability. Thus, this book sheds light on how they, and international security specialists, can work to bolster efforts to minimise the potential for misuse of modern neuroscience research.

Cover of Controlling Biochemical Weapons: Adapting Multilateral Arms Control for the 21st Century

Cover of Toxin and Bioregulator Weapons

This book explores how revolutionary developments and convergence of the chemical, life and associated sciences are impacting contemporary toxin and bioregulator research, and examines the risks of such research being misused for malign purposes. Investigating illustrative cases of dual use research of potential concern in China, India, Iran, Russia, Syria and the USA, the authors discuss how states can ensure such research and related activities are not utilised in weapons development. Although toxins and bioregulators are, in theory, covered by both the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and Chemical Weapons Convention, this apparent overlap in reality masks a dangerous regulatory gap – with neither Convention implemented effectively to address threats of weaponisation. This book highlights the potentially damaging consequences for international peace and security, and proposes realistic routes for action by states and the scientific community.