The BWC Global Forum: Biotech, Biosecurity & Beyond
The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security is hosting a podcast, The BWC Global Forum: Biotech, Biosecurity & Beyond, to support BWC States Parties, policymakers and policy experts, and scientists understand advancements in biology and biotechnology and their impact on the Biological & Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC).
The BWC Global Forum aims to serve as a permanent and growing repository of information on emerging S&T capabilities by directly engaging with technical experts. Our hosts interview some of the world's foremost experts across the broad scope of biology and biotechnology to identify and investigate emerging capabilities and future trends and to consider their potential impact on the BWC itself as well as biological weapons nonproliferation policy and practice. The Global Forum's primary goal is to inform BWC delegations, stakeholders, and frontline scientists on how emerging biology and biotechnology relate to their work, including potential risks and benefits associated with the BWC.
Latest episodes
Feb 23, 2023 • 40min
Episode #5: 9th BWC Review Conference
Dr. James Revill, Head, WMD & Space Security Programmes, UN Institute for Disarmament Research Dr. Anna Laura Ross, Head, Emerging Technologies, Research Prioritization & Support Unit, World Health Organization Dr. Leifan Wang, Assistant Professor, Center for Biosafety Research & Strategy, Tianjin University November 28, 2022 This episode was recorded live, on site at the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of the BWC Global Forum side event hosted on the opening day of the 9th BWC Review Conference. Our panel of international experts discusses a broad scope of advances in biology and biotechnology, with a particular focus on policy implications and global frameworks to understand the impact of these advancements and promote their responsible use. These challenges are among the highest priorities for BWC states parties, including in meetings held since the 8th Review Conference (2016), the 9th Review Conference, and looking ahead to the coming years.
Jan 3, 2023 • 21min
Episode #3: Wastewater Surveillance
Dr. Robert Mayall, Chief Technical Officer & Founder, FREDsense September 14, 2022 In this episode, we discuss the technologies and capabilities associated with wastewater surveillance systems, their rise to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic response, and prospective benefits and risks associated with expansion to other pathogens and purposes.
Jan 3, 2023 • 22min
Episode #2: Small Organic Molecules
Dr. Jung-Mo Ahn, Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Texas at Dallas September 14, 2022 In this episode, we discuss the use of small molecules as targeted treatments to interrupt the regulatory pathways responsible for cancer growth, neurodegenerative diseases, and other conditions, with relatively minimal off-target effects.
Jan 3, 2023 • 20min
Episode #4: Human Genome Editing
Dr. Kazuto Kato, Professor of Biomedical Ethics & Public Policy, Osaka University October 11, 2022 In this episode, we discuss the current state of technologies and ethics associated with human genome editing, including as direct treatment for patients and to modify inheritable traits for future generations.
Jan 3, 2023 • 22min
Episode #1: De-Extinction Technologies
Ben Novak, Lead Scientist & Program Manager, Revive & Restore September 6, 2022 In this episode, we discuss Revive & Restore's de-extinction efforts for the passenger pigeon, including the current state of associated technologies, timeline for developing and implementing future technologies, and intended and unintended consequences of de-extinction.
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