Strengthening the BTWC through laboratory best practices and biosecurity

Summary:

The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) remains the cornerstone of the regime to prevent the use of biological weapons, embodying the norm against biological weapon proliferation. The inherent challenges and complexities of the fight against biological weapons are best addressed by a multilayered approach that combines top-down and bottom-up actions and initiatives. The 2001 anthrax attacks, which caused widespread panic and disruption, highlighted the need to take into account the threats posed by both state and non-state actors. These events also led to more thorough consideration of one of the most dificult threat to deal with, the threat from inside. In this context, enhancing biosafety and biosecurity measures and raising awareness at the laboratory level have been identified as in accordance with the aims and objectives of the convention. This paper considers how to strengthen the BTWC and focuses specifically on the involvement of the life sciences community and the need to engage scientists and laboratory workers, as well as on the role of the European Union.

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