Why a Code of Conduct for "dual-use" Research?

Dr. Slavko Bokan, M.D.
Croatian Ministry of Defense
Defense Policy and Planning Department
Ilica 256 b, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Introduction

           Today it is very important to consider the content, promulgation and adoption of codes of conduct for scientists in the field of NBC research. The threat of scientific and technological developments being used for destructive purposes, such as the development of novel biological weapons, is a real one. We believe codes of conduct can help to reduce the risk that scientific research will be misused. Because no government can oversee all scientists and experiments across a nation, codes of conduct for NBC scientists are crucially necessary. Codes of Conduct may offer the greatest opportunity for improving security of research at the level of individual scientists and also increase the understanding of security, improve moral and ethical responsibilities, create a "culture of responsibility and accountability", and set professional standards that may have legal implications.

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The Meetings for ASA Professionals

a. The 5th SISPAT - Singapore and 1st International
CBRE Operations Conference; Raffles Convention Center, 27 November to 01 December 2006. See page 7.

b. The ICBPS; Beijing, China; Crowne Plaza Park
View, 07-11 December 2006. A first meeting on the critical area of Chinese and Western Biopharmaceuticals and Pharmaceuticals - preparations for all eventualities. See page 6.

c. The 14th CBMTS meeting: CBMTS-Industry V
"Fourth World Congress on Chemical, Biological and Radiological Terrorism" and 10th Anniversary of CWC Coming into Force with OPCW and a Super Workshop; Dubrovnik, Croatia; 14-20 April 2007. See page 3.

d. The 9th CBW Protection Symposium; Gšteborg,
Sweden; 22-25 May, 2007. See page 12