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7/21/2019 BioSafety BioSecurity Duel use research Awareness survey
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BIOETHICS AND DUAL USE
RESEARCH EDUCATION SURVEY
REPORT
Muhammad Bilal Khan
Mphil II
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Table of Contents
OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................. 2
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................... 3
Gender distribution of participants ........................................................................................................... 3
Distribution of participants on basis of their belonging area.................................................................... 4
Distribution on basis of teaching caliber................................................................................................... 5
ANSWERS TO THE ASKED QUESTIONS ............................................................................................... 6
Question 1 ................................................................................................................................................. 6
Q2 Please considers the following proposed definitions. Would you agree on them? ........................... 10
1. Biosafety .................................................................................................................................. 10
2. Biosecurity ............................................................................................................................... 11
3. Bioweapons ............................................................................................................................. 12
4. Dual-Use .................................................................................................................................. 13
5. Codes ....................................................................................................................................... 14
Q3. During the graduate curriculum you teach in, are there any specific modules focused primarily on
the following topics: ............................................................................................................................... 15
Bioethics ............................................................................................................................................. 15
Biosafety ............................................................................................................................................. 16
Biosecurity .......................................................................................................................................... 16
Q4. In the course(s) you teach, or in other course(s) taught during the graduate curriculum, are thereany references made to the following topics:.......................................................................................... 17
Q5. Please consider the following........................................................................................................... 19
Analysis and comment line for Q5 ..................................................................................................... 34
Q6. Please tick the appropriate option according to the extent to which you agree or disagree. ............ 34
Q.7 Do you think these topics (mentioned above) are important for life sciences students to be aware
of? ........................................................................................................................................................... 44
Q8. We asked our participants that this education should be mandatory or voluntary? ......................... 45
SUGESSTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................................................... 46
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OVERVIEW
A multi-purpose awareness program along with a risk assessment survey was conducted by
Bio-ethics and Dual use Research team under supervision of team leader Professor Doctor
Zabta Khan Shinwari from a very superior Quaid-i-Azam University platform.
Being a team member I too was assign to conduct this survey and writing the required report
based upon the answers, observations and points by the participants of the survey.
About 150 biotechnologists were short listed and contacted by me through either of the following
ways
Providing the printed copy of the survey form
Emailing the form
Emailing online modifiable copy of form
Online survey through protected link by google drive and pass phrase enabled access to
ensure only specified people be participant
Out of all only 30 people responded to the request of being participant and 21 fulfilled required
criteria and 9 forms were rejected based on the following reasons
Incomplete survey forms
Inappropriate or non-serious reply to form
Unwanted requests or suggestions to asked questions
In 21 appropriate and accurate survey responses my participants include some of prominent
figures of biotechnology in Pakistan like
i. Professor Dr. Zafar Mahmood Khalid, Dean Faculty of Bio-informatics and Bio-
technology International Islamic University Islamabad
ii. Dr. Jamil Ahmed, Dean Faculty of Life Sciences and Informatics Baluchistan University
of Information Technology Engineering and management Sciences Quetta
iii. Dr. Asma Haque, Incharge, Department of Bioinformatics & Biotechnology GC
University Faisalabad.
iv.
Dr. Naeem Shahwani, Chairman Department of Biotechnology, Baluchistan University of
Information Technology Engineering and management Sciences Quetta
Based on responses result of required results were as following
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Gender distribution of participants
In my survey 13 members were male participants and rest 8 were female participants the
following pie chart is describing their distribution on the basis of their gender.
MALE
62%
FEMALE
38%
GENDER DISTRIBUTION OF PARTICIPANTS
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Distribution of participants on basis of their belonging area
In my participants 4 have their assigned duties in rural areas, 14 of them perform their duties inurban areas and 3 participants did not respond to this question. The following graph is showing
their distribution.
RURAL
19%
URBAN
67%
NO ANSWER
14%
DISTRIBUTION OF PARTICIPANTS ON BASIS OF
THEIR BELONGING AREA
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Distribution on basis of teaching caliber
When it was asked by the participants to enlist maximum caliber of their students of a class they
teach. 8 of them responded that their students are of Ph.D. class, 1 teaches M.Phil. Students, 3
deals with BS level students and rest 9 of them are their-self Ph.D. student in different
universities. The following pie chart is brief explanation of their distribution.
BS
14%
M.Phil
5%
Ph.D
38%
PHD STUDENTS
43%
TEACHING CALIBER OF PARTICIPANTS
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ANSWERS TO THE ASKED QUESTIONS
Question 1
We enlist different terms for our participants and acquired whether or not they were familiar with
those. The following pie charts are briefly explaining their answers for different terms.
YES
95%
NO5%
BIOETHICSFirst term asked wasBioethics where 20
participants know what
this term stands for and
1 did not know aboutthis.
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YES
100%
NO
0%
BIOSAFETY
YES
81%
NO
19%
BIOSECURITYwhen we asked if theyhave heard about
"Biosecurity" or not. 17
participants knew
about this rest of 4 did
not knew anythingabout this.
Second term asked was
Bioethics where all
21 participants were
well familiar about this.
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YES90%
NO
10%
BIOWEAPONS
YES
86%
NO
14%
BIOTERRORISM
When asked if they are
familiar about Bioweapons
or not 19 people replied in
positive and other two said
that they did not know about
term bioweapons.
Participants were asked about
the term Bioterrorism. 18 of
them had known to this term
rest 3 participants knewnothing about bioterrorism.
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YES
48%NO
52%
DUAL USE RESEARCH
YES
81%
NO19%
CODES OF CONDUCT
We asked our participants if
they have ever heard about
the term Dual use
Research. A majority of
people did not know about
this term, where 11 did not
know about this and
remaining 10 people were
familiar about this term.
We asked our participants if
they had ever known to term
Codes of Conduct or not. 17
participants replied that they
knew it and other 4 knew
nothing about this term.
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Q2 Please considers the following proposed definitions. Would you agree on them?
In second part we put some definitions for our participants and asked them if they agree on the
definitions of the defined terms or not. The forum also allowed them to embed, modify or change
the definition of any specified term the way they feel convenient playing a role as an open
conference.
Each term is defined in detail result with modified version if any.
1. Biosafetydefinitions were given as followed
a. In this context, Biosafety refers to the containment principles, technologies and
practices that are implemented to prevent unintentional exposure to pathogens and
toxins, or their accidental release.
There are three key elements to biosafety:
Laboratory practice and technique
Safety equipment
Facility design and constructionAlmost all the participants agreed to the above mentioned definition except one person.
Pie chart is giving a brief overview of the results.
YES
95%
NO
5%
BIOSAFETY DEFINITION
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2. Biosecurity definition was given as followed.
a. In this context, Biosecurity refers to mechanisms to establish and maintain the
security and oversight of pathogenic microorganisms, toxins and relevant
resources.
In practice biosecurity systems are normally comprised of the following
components
Physical protection
a) Personnel reliability
b) Adequate scientific
c) Commercial program oversight
d) Pathogen accountability
e) Transportation security
f) Information security
Almost all the participants agreed on the given definition except one person the followingpie chart is giving brief details of this question.
YES
95%
NO
5%
BIOSECURITY DEFINITION
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3. Bioweapons definitions were given as per Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention,
that states.
a. Microbial or other biological agents, or toxins whatever their origin or method of
production, of types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic,
protective or other peaceful purposes;
b.
Weapons, equipment or means of delivery designed to use such agents or toxins
for hostile purposes or in armed conflict.
Almost all the participants agreed on the given definition except one person the following
pie chart is giving brief details of the answer given by the participants.
YES
95%
NO
5%
BIOWEAPONS DEFINITION
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4. Dual-Use was described in multiple ways and all possible aspects were covered as
followed.
a. The term "dual-use" is used to describe technologies that could have both benign
and malign usage, specifically in the form of biological weapons.
b. Ostensibly civilian facilities that are in fact intended for military or terrorist
bioweapons development and production;
c. Equipment and agents that could be misappropriated and misused for biological
weapons development and production.
d. The generation and dissemination of scientific knowledge that could be
misapplied for biological weapons development and production.
18 participants agreed on the given terms of dual-use while other 3 participants disagreed
on provided definitions.
The following pie graph is briefly describing the results of survey.
YES
86%
NO
14%
DUAL USE DEFINITION
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5. Codeswere described as following
a. Ethical or practical guidance documents promulgated amongst the community to
advice or guide individuals on an issue or issues. Examples include the
Hippocratic Oath.
19 people agreed to the given term and 2 of them disagreed on the provided term.
The following pie graph is giving a brief overview of the results.
In response to the request to modify the disagreed term only 2 participants responded and
expressed their opinion. As following
1) Bioethics, Biosafety and Codes are also applied to Use of Biotechnology and Genetic
Engineering for GM (Genetically Modified) crops with desired genes. Bioethics is also
related to medical research.
2) I am unsure If the checked No definitions are correct, There should have been another
option saying Not too sure.
YES
90%
NO
10%
CODES DEFINITION
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Q3. During the graduate curriculum you teach in, are there any specific modules focused
primarily on the following topics:
In third part we tried to acquire if their curriculum up-to-date and support basic concerns of
modern day research.
We recorded their responses in 3 different categories.
Bioethics
When asked whether or not their curriculum contains, any modules primarily focusing
bioethics and related topics
15 participants responded in yes and said they had this as part of their studies. The
following graph is showing brief results for this question.
YES
71%
NO
29%
BIOETHICS
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Biosafety
We repeated the same question for biosafety modules where 17 people have biosafety
modules in their course and rest 4 had no such awareness. Pie chart is briefly describing
their responses
Biosecurity
We asked them if they have anything related to biosecurity in their course 9 people
replied that yes they have related topics while majority had no such modules in either of
their course. The following pie chart is briefly showing their answers.
YES
81%
NO
19%
BIOSAFETY
YES
43%
NO
57%
BIOSECURITY
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Q4. In the course(s) you teach, or in other course(s) taught during the graduate
curriculum, are there any references made to the following topics:
We tried to acquire if the participants make references to any of the following topics in either of
their course or not. Following graphs are showing brief results of these. Where red color
representing No and green stands for yes.
YES
81%
NO
19%
BIOETHICS
YES
76%
NO
24%
BIOSAFETY
YES
52%
NO
48%
BIOSECURITY
YES
48%NO
52%
BIOLOGICALWEAPONS
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Based on the results we consider an alarming situation and recommend that teachers should
consider referencing these terms and topics in their routine lectures, and this practice should
continue to raise the awareness level.
YES
14%
NO
86%
BTWC
YES29%
NO
71%
DUAL USE
YES
62%
NO
38%
CODES OF CONDUCT
YES
38%
NO
62%
LAWS PROHIBITING
BIOLOGICAL
WEAPONS
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Q5. Please consider the following.
We asked our participants about different thing in their practical work or in curricula and based
upon their reply the results were as following described in a pie chart briefly.
YES
38%
NO
62%
DO THE ABOVE MENTIONED TOPICS
(BIOSECURITY, DUAL USE, BIOTERRORISM,
BIOSAFETY ETC.) APPEAR IN ANY OF THE
COURSE READINGS (BIBLIOGRAPHY, TEXTBOOKS
ETC)
Its an alarming situation where
majority had nothing in their books or
readings, the hot issues and topics of
biotechnology.
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YES
38%
NO
62%
DO YOU HAVE ANY BIOETHICS OR BIOSAFETY
COMMITTEE IN YOUR INSTITUTION?
Even more alarming situation
appeared in this question
where institutions playing
nature and have no such
control committee to point out
control and safe research.
Based upon answers we can
also deduct that there may be
such committee but
participants know nothing
about that or it may be non-
functional or dormant giving no
concern to the research.
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YES
9%
NO
86%
NO ANSWER
5%
DO YOU KNOW ANY LOCAL OR INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATION/ RESEARCH GROUP THAT WORK
ON ANALYZING AND REGULATING DUAL USE
RESEARCH AND BIOSECURITY?
Terrifying image appeared as the answer to this question where vast majority practicing
biotechnologies do not know any such regulatory authority focusing dual-use research dilemma.
Based on their answer we can deduct that there is a disaster waiting for us if not controlled in a short
time
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YES24%
NO
76%
ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY INTERNATIONAL
REGULATION PROHIBITING THE NON-PEACEFUL
USE OF LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH OR REGULATING
THEIR OVERSIGHT (INCLUDING INTERNATIONALTREATIES, AND STANDARDS)?
Another alarming situation appeared a pie graph based on the answer of participants where only
one fourth of the people know any such organizations that prohibit non-peaceful research and bio
weapons production.
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YES
14%
NO
86%
ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY NATIONAL
REGULATION PROHIBITING THE NON-PEACEFUL
USE OF LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH (INCLUDING
CIVIL AND PENAL LEGISLATION, EXPORTCONTROLS)?
Even devastating graph appeared based on the answers to this question by the participants where
only a fraction of people know any national regulatory authority. We can deduce that national
committees are very dormant and this may result in a disaster.
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YES
14%
NO
86%
DO YOU KNOW ANY EXAMPLES OF CODES OF
RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT WHICH APPLY TO LIFE
SCIENTISTS AND BIOTECHNOLOGISTS AND
RELATED PROFESSIONALS?
A disastrous situation appears in this graph where participants who have got license to play nature
do not n=know any code of conduct and are not aware or any such laws limiting research activities.
This situation is devastating and if preceded in the same way will surely result in a disaster.
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YES
19%
NO
81%
HAVE YOU ATTENDED ANY INTERNATIONAL
WORKSHOP OR SEMINAR ON BIOSECURITY,
BIOTERRORISM, BIOSAFETY AND DUAL USE
ISSUES?
This graph is actually showing our weakness where men knowing about issues and preaching safe
research are not taking all biotechnologists on the board and not leading any such activity. And
because of that majority of people have not attended any such workshop in that regard.
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YES
25%
NO
75%
DO YOU THINK THAT YOU CONDUCTED,
MANAGED OR TAUGHT RESEARCH THAT HAD
DUAL USE POTENTIAL?
This graph is showing very strange results based upon the answers of the participants. Actually any
practical biotechnology has dual use potential. And our participants are not even aware of such a
danger in hand.
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YES
57%
NO
43%
DO YOU THINK THAT YOUR FIELD OF STUDY
INVOLVES TECHNIQUES THAT HAVE THE
POTENTIAL TO BE MISUSED AS DEFINED ABOVE?
Even after providing early definitions and keys to this specified question still a large number of
participants disagree with this question although majority of participants voted for yes.
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YES
10%
NO
90%
EVER YOU THINK THAT YOUR LABORATORY SET
UP CAN BE USED FOR PREPARATION OF
MATERIAL FOR TERRORIST ACTIVITIES?
Most of the participants believe that their lab cannot be used as bioweapons development unit. That
is good in a way but based on previous answers it can be deduced that they are under estimating the
potential threat of biological agents and research.
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YES
29%
NO
71%
HAVE SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES EVER TALKED
TO YOU ABOUT THESE TOPICS?
This question was asked to judge overall awareness level of biotech community and shocking results
appeared based on the responses of participants. There a vast majority of participants did not even
consider it to be discussed in a group of meeting. We can observe a clear image of low awareness
level of overall community.
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YES
48%
NO
52%
DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS TO CHANGE YOUR
COURSE OR MODULE TO ACCOMMODATE SUCH
TOPICS?
Mixed opinion was observed in response to this question. That is a good and a bad at the same time
good is because now somehow biotechnology community consider these topics to be addressed andconsidered and bad because still about a half of them prefer standing on the same line.
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YES
24%
NO
76%
HAVE YOU EVER DELIVERED A LECTURE DEALING
WITH TOPICS SUCH AS DUAL USE RESEARCH,
BIOSECURITY, BIOTERRORISM ETC.?
A vast majority of participants even if practicing this filed for a number of years did not ever had
delivered lecture to discuss and address any hot issues in biotechnology and have least knowledge
about this.
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YES
52%
NO48%
DO YOU THINK THERE IS A LACK OF
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND RESOURCES ON
THESE ISSUES AVAILABLE FOR PROFESSORS?
Mix review came as an answer to this question slight majority agreed that overall there is less
material available on these issues but still a handsome number either had no access to such material
or they are not interested in any such material.
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YES
43%
NO
57%
IS YOUR UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE OFFERING A
SEPARATE COURSE COVERING TOPICS LIKE
BIOETHICS, BIOSAFETY, BIOSECURITY AND DUAL
USE RESEARCH?
Majority had no such course or guide available at their respective institutes that obviously shows
the need of promotion of this course and such actives.
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Analysis and comment line for Q5
Most of participants overall replied in no to the asked question that shows the urge of
participants to be taught these subjects but they are not having it of multiple reasons.
1. Bioethics, biosafety, bioweapons and bioterrorism were some terms that appeared in
there course content but there is no special or reserved coursed assigned for this purpose.Some institutes focus on bioethics in research but the hot topics like dual use research
education is only limited to Quaid-i-Azam university and only biotechnology department
offers it rest of the departments are totally unaware of these subject maters and there
importance.
2. Participants know about (chemical weapon convention) CWC but there were no or least
awareness about any society dealing with biotechnology research.
3. Participants are unaware of any research tribunal at national level. It is not only the
negligence of participants but also weakness of our committees and departments, that
they are dormant and do not publish and show them with activity.
Q6. Please tick the appropriate option according to the extent to which you agree or
disagree.
Some of important issues were placed before participants and their opinion was obtained that
how important are they for them. Following analysis is showing their responses.
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STRONGLY
DISAGREE
29%
DISAGREE
38%
NEITHER
AGREE NOR
DISAGREE
19%
AGREE
14%
STRONGLY AGREE
0%
LABORATORY SETUPS AT EDUCATIONAL AND
RESEARCH INSTITUTES CAN BE USED FOR
PREPARATION OF MATERIALS FOR NON-
PEACEFUL PURPOSES.
Overall more than 60% people say that it is unlikely to happen that a laboratory setup is used for the
unhealthy activities. It may be because they are have a strong faith on good will and not knowing the
potential threat they are facing.
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STRONGLY
DISAGREE
5%
DISAGREE
14%
NEITHER AGREE
NOR DISAGREE
28%AGREE
48%
STRONGLY
AGREE
5%
UNDESIRED ELEMENTS CAN GAIN ACCESS TO
SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUES, ANYWHERE IN THE
WORLD, TO BE MISUSED FOR HOSTILE
ACTIVITIES.
Majority of participants agreed that using the simple protocol or the research they are doing if fall in
wrong hands may result in terror.
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STRONGLY
DISAGREE
5% DISAGREE
5%
NEITHER AGREE
NOR DISAGREE
14%
AGREE
57%
STRONGLY AGREE
19%
OVERSIGHT, SECURITY MECHANISMS AND
REGULATIONS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL SHOULD
BE INCREASED FOR SAFE, SECURE AND
RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF SCIENTIFICRESEARCH.
2/3 majority agrees on the fact that legislation and practical implementation is required to oversight
the problems and risks associated with research so that any misconduct can be stopped and
managed in time.
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STRONGLY
DISAGREE
0%
DISAGREE
9%
NEITHER AGREE
NOR DISAGREE
29%
AGREE
43%
STRONGLY
AGREE
19%
SCIENTISTS HAVE LOW LEVEL OF AWARENESS ON
NATIONAL CIVIL (INCLUDING EXPORT CONTROLS)
AND PENAL LAWS REGULATING POTENTIAL
MISUSE OF SCIENCE.
Based on the results obtained from answers of participants it can be concluded that scientist need
training workshops where they must be addressed about the issues regarding science and authorities
that regulate the research ethical issues.
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STRONGLY
DISAGREE
0%
DISAGREE
5%
NEITHER AGREE
NOR DISAGREE
71%
AGREE
19%
STRONGLY
AGREE
5%
THE USE OF A CODE THAT INCLUDES THE
DANGER OF THE MISUSE OF SCIENCE IS
SUSPICIOUS FOR BIOLOGISTS.
A majority of participants showed confusion on this question and they neither agree nor disagree
with our statement.
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STRONGLY
DISAGREE
0%
DISAGREE
5%
NEITHER AGREE
NOR DISAGREE
24%
AGREE
38%
STRONGLY AGREE
33%
EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS
SHOULD INCLUDE STUDY MATERIAL ON DUAL
USE, BIOSAFETY AND BIOSECURITY IN COURSE
WORK.
A vast majority of participants agreed on the statement and preferred to modify the course outline in
such a way that new course must include soothing highlighting the issues.
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STRONGLY
DISAGREE
5%
DISAGREE
9%
NEITHER AGREE
NOR DISAGREE
33%
AGREE
29%
STRONGLY AGREE
24%
RESEARCH FUNDERS (FOUNDATIONS,
GOVERNMENTS,) SHOULD HAVE POLICIES
REGARDING FUNDING DUAL USE RESEARCH.
Overall majority of participants agreed to develop such policies that enable traceability of funds in
case any dual use dilemma is found in research and develop policies to control any misconduct.
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STRONGLY
DISAGREE
0%
DISAGREE
0%
NEITHER AGREE
NOR DISAGREE
52%
AGREE
19%
STRONGLY AGREE
29%
SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS SHOULD HAVE POLICIES
REGULATING THE PUBLICATION OF DUAL USE
RESEARCH.
Most of participants in the survey showed confusion on this question however about 45% collectively
agreed that scientific journals must review the research before publishing it, and should consider any
dual use research issues before publishing it.
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STRONGLY
DISAGREE
0%
DISAGREE
0%
NEITHER AGREE
NOR DISAGREE
33%
AGREE
48%
STRONGLY
AGREE
19%
MISUSE OF BIOLOGICAL
KNOWLEDGE/TECHNIQUES IS MORE
DESTRUCTIVE BECAUSE THERE IS NO DEFINED
BARRIER TO CONTROL IT.
Most of the people agree on the topic that misuse and any biological protocol in wrong hand will
prove to be disastrous.
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Q.7 Do you think these topics (mentioned above) are important for life sciences students to
be aware of?
This question was asked to judge the interest and awareness level of the educators that how they
see their students and consider them to be aware to prevent any such misconduct unknowingly.
Following graph is explaining the attentions of participants.
VERY IMPORTANT
40%
IMPORTANT
30%
SOME HOW
IMPORTANT
20%
NOT
IMPORTANT
10%
DO NOT KNOW
0%
DO YOU THINK THESE TOPICS (MENTIONED
ABOVE) ARE IMPORTANT FOR LIFE SCIENCES
STUDENTS TO BE AWARE OF?
Almost 2/3 majority considered this topic important. That shows importance of this topic.
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Q8. We asked our participants that this education should be mandatory or voluntary?
This is to judge the importance of the issues and its awareness program
MANDATORY
62%VOLUNTARY
14%
DID NOT ANSWER
24%
DO YOU THINK THAT THIS EDUCATION SHOULD
BE MADE MANDATORY OR VOLUNTARY
Majority of participants voted for mandatory. That means they consider this education must for their
students and want it to be as a part of their core course.
7/21/2019 BioSafety BioSecurity Duel use research Awareness survey
47/47
SUGESSTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Based upon the survey some of the recommendations are as following
1.
Review committee should me make that conduct workshops and meetings on regularbases
2. Report must be shared with all the participants so that they may be aware of current
situation and react to it.
3. Current societies must improve their standards and come on the board with updated
manuals and methodology.
4. Course content is outdated and need a review with improvements and including portions
that include issues and problems regarding biotechnology research.
5. All over Pakistan there should be a biotechnology center keeping record of all the critical
research that can be used for dual use purposes.
6.
Current biosafety committees at university level are dormant and not playing active rolein research, they need an update sessions with reviewers and key concern peoples.
7. Department of biotechnology Quaid-i-Azam university must send/refer its students and
teams focusing training sessions all over Pakistan. At least all participants must be given
training by the person who asked or offered them to be a participant of the survey.
8. Local and grass rote areas must be approached and a compulsion should be made for all
biotechnology students Quaid-i-Azam university to conduct at least one week training on
biosafety and security into their belonging areas.
9. A biotechnology committee is required that consist of all chair of departments having
biotechnology courses in Pakistan. There they must have regular meeting and focus
issues related to biotechnology and dual use research issues.
Prevention is better than cure Scientists and biotechnologist must recognize their responsibilities
and go hand in hand promoting safe research