Recent News

By Category: Policy & Initiatives

Flu research and public safety

(The Economist) The American government, in the shape of the country’s National Scientific Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB), called on the world’s two leading scientific journals to censor research. Nature and Science were about to publish studies by researchers …

January 30, 2012
| Filed under North America, Biosafety, Policy & Initiatives, and Research
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Justice Dept. takes on itself in probe of 2001 anthrax attacks

(Washington Post) Since it began a decade ago, the federal government’s massive investigation of the 2001 anthrax attacks has been plagued by missteps and complications. Investigators initially focused on the wrong man, then had to pay him a nearly $6 million settlement …

January 30, 2012
| Filed under North America, Bioterrorism, and Policy & Initiatives
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Bio-security, an emerging challenge

(Hindu Business Line) Action is needed at the national and international levels to deal with this threat. Biotech research is conducted in a wide range of institutions, in government laboratories, universities, and by the private sector. Freedom to do research in biotechnology shouldn’t be hampered, and intellectual property rights must be protected. However, the risks Read More »

January 27, 2012
| Filed under South Asia, Biological Weapons, Biosafety, Biotechnology, Bioterrorism, and Policy & Initiatives
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Pakistani Lawmakers Delay Biological Weapons Pact Bill

(Global Security Newswire) Pakistani lawmakers on Wednesday postponed consideration of a bill aimed at ensuring the nation meets its obligations as a member of the Biological Weapons Convention over questions about specific elements of the proposal, Pakistan Today reported. The National Assembly’s foreign affairs panel asked Pakistani Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir to address a provision stating Read More »

January 27, 2012
| Filed under South Asia, Biological Weapons, International, and Policy & Initiatives
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Professional Probe of Former South African Biowarfare Chief to Continue

(Global Security Newswire) A professional review board was set on Thursday to resume a probe of work carried out by South African cardiologist Wouter Basson during his tenure heading biological and chemical weapons programs under the nation’s former apartheid government, the South African Press Association reported. Basson, nicknamed “Dr. Death,” has called for dismissal of Read More »