"Biotechnology: Preventing Harmful Use of the Life Sciences"

Roundtable Moscow, IMEMO

2 June 2005

10.00 - 10.30   Introduction

Welcome
Dr Vladimir Baranovsky, Deputy Director, Institute for World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO)
Dominique Loye, Deputy Head, Mines-Arms Unit, ICRC Geneva

The ICRC's Appeal on 'Biotechnology, Weapons & Humanity'
The ICRC's Appeal on 'Biotechnology, Weapons & Humanity'

10.30 - 12.00   Panel 1: The risk of misuse in the life sciences: the advances and potential risks

Chairperson: Prof. Vladimir Baranovsky, Deputy Director, IMEMO RAS

Advances in the life sciences with potential risks for misuse
Prof. Malcolm Dando, BSc PHd St And. Professor of International Security, University of Bradford, UK

The risk of misuse of developments in the life sciences
Prof. Georgy Smirnov, Director of Department, Gamalei Institute
Prof. Boris Boev, Director, Department for Computer Modeling, Gamalei Institute

Discussion

12.30 – 14.30   Panel 2: Biosafety: Challenges and Prevention. Regulatory and Legal Frameworks

Chairperson: PDominique Loye, Deputy Head, Mines-Arms Unit, ICRC Geneva

Overview of international law preventing hostile use of the life sciences
Kobi-Renee Leins, Project Manager, Mines-Arms Unit, ICRC Geneva

Russian legal and regulatory framework preventing hostile use of biotechnology.

National legislation. Problems of practical implementation
Prof. Natalia Kalinina, Deputy Inspector General, Accounting Chamber

Implementing preventive measures
Dr. Andrei Filippov, Cebnter for Export Control

Medical and scientific perspectives of prevention
Dr. Sergei Pchelintsev, Director, Institute of Immunology Engineering, Lyubuchany

Discussion

15.30 – 17.00   Panel 3: Responsibilities for prevention

Chairperson: Dr. Alexander Pikayev, Director, Department of Disarmament and Conflict Resolution, IMEMO

Introduction to the ICRC's Principles of Practice document
Dr. Robin Coupland, ICRC, Geneva

Industry and civil society perspectives of prevention
Prof. Roman Borovik, Director, Research Center for Toxicology, Serpukhov
Dr. Anatoly Ukraintsev, Deputy Director, Biochimmash Enterprise, Moscow
Dr. Viktor Popov, Director, Phage Laboratory, Institute of Immunology Engineering (Lyubuchany)

Discussion

17.00 – 17.30 Summary & Conclusions

Dominique Loye, Deputy Head, Mines-Arms Unit, ICRC Geneva
Dr. Elina Kirichenko, Director, Center for North American Studies, IMEMO