Recent News

By Region: South Asia

Kit to detect Anthrax developed

(IBNLive.com) The DRDE, Gwalior, has developed a rapid ELISA kit for the detection of B Anthracis (AnthroDec) targeting Protective Antigen (PA) component of Anthrax toxin. Evaluation undertaken by WHO SARO in 2002 concluded that the kit had fairly high sensitivity …

October 24, 2011
| Filed under South Asia, Agents & Toxins, Biotechnology, and Public Health
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Pakistan Updates Bio, Nuke Export Control Lists

Pakistan said this week it has updated its lists of export restrictions intended to deter the proliferation of biological and nuclear weapons and their means of delivery (see GSN, July 15). (GSN Daily News) A press release from the Pakistani Foreign Affairs Ministry does not provide details on the revisions to the lists of controlled Read More »

October 24, 2011
| Filed under South Asia, International, and Policy & Initiatives
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Proliferation of Drones Could Aid Biological Strikes

The proliferation of unmanned aircraft around the world has some experts worried the technology could be used by hostile states or extremist groups to disperse biological warfare agents, The Australian reported on Tuesday (see GSN, March 3, 2010). As technology improvements allow remotely controlled aircraft to shrink in size and be more easily transported, their Read More »

October 14, 2011
| Filed under Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, South Asia, Biological Weapons, Bioterrorism, and International
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Pakistan Moves to Enact Bioweapon Penalties

A bill put forward by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry would establish violent acts involving biological materials as crimes subject to life in prison or the death penalty, Pakistan Today reported on Sunday (see GSN, Feb. 8). The legislation, which the Pakistani government Cabinet could endorse on Wednesday, would establish a minimum fine of more than $114,000 Read More »

October 12, 2011
| Filed under South Asia, Biological Weapons, and Policy & Initiatives
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First International VBC Conference: Video Available

The First Virtual Biosecurity Center international conference, 1 September 2011, can be accessed here. This conference explored the role of web-based networks in promoting global biosecurity, and provided an opportunity for experts from around the world to identify best practices and partnerships, and determine the feasibility of linking existing networks for global communication.