Dr. B M Gandhi was Advisor, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and
Technology and is currently the Chief Executive Officer, Neo Biomed Services.
The Recent epidemic of Ebola caused panic across the world and all efforts are being made to contain its spread. Recent years have also seen incidences of accidents and security breaches at well guarded and well managed bio-containment facilities in USA (Anthrax, West Nile Virus, and Tuberculosis), UK (Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), USSR (Anthrax), Singapore (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and China (SARS) and many other countries.
The document is collation of the information available from the 7th Review Conference of BWC held at the UN Office in Geneva from 5 to 22 December 2011. The Final Declaration at the Conference reaffirmed its conviction about the essentiality of the provisions of the obligations for international peace and security and to meet the goal of complete disarmament under strict and effective international control including the prohibition and elimination of all weapons of mass destruction repugnant to the safety of humankind.
BTWC is apprehensive of development of dual-use technologies in the areas of genetic engineering, biotechnology and microbiology, for high growth of products and processes that are capable of being used for purposes inconsistent with its objectives and provisions. These include all microbial and other biological agents or toxins, naturally or artificially created or altered, irrespective of their origin or method of production.
It is well recognized that modern technologies have dual use applications both for peaceful purposes as well as hostile use. Modern biology and bio-technology offer novel ways of manipulating basic life processes. Purposefully or unintentionally, genetic modification of microorganisms could be used to create organisms that are more virulent, are antibioticresistant, or have greater stability in the environment.