International workshop on "Policy Makers and Practitioners: Awareness Workshop on Dual Use Education"

The International Workshop on 'Policy Makers and Practitioners: Awareness Workshop on Dual Use Education' will take place at the Pakistan Academy of Sciences on 30 March 2015. The Workshop, organized by the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) with support from IAP, aims to raise awareness about the potential implications of dual-use research concerns in biotechnology. Speakers will emphasize the possible ways to prevent biotechnology abuse.

The rapid growth in biotechnology in recent years has offered great benefits globally because of its widespread applications in agriculture, environment, energy and health but as one of the most rapidly-growing areas of science in the early 21st century, it brings security risks that must be recognized and addressed effectively. This gives rise to the so called “Dual-Use dilemma” in which research can have good and bad outcomes.

This workshop is an effort to bring scientists, students, and policy makers to a forum to highlight and alleviate the chances of potential abuse of biotechnology and promote a safe and secure scientific culture in Pakistan.

The objectives of the workshop include:

• Develop awareness and understanding of a range of dual use ethical  issues
• Facilitate research on ‘dual use’ issues
• Develop policies and practices that will prevent the misuse of knowledge generated through biomedical research.

Follow the link below to the tentative programme.