Title: National Series Lecture 1 Introduction Jordan
1National SeriesLecture 1IntroductionJordan
- Bradford Disarmament Research CentreDivision of
Peace Studies, University of Bradford, UK
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2Outline
- Where we are in the early 21st century
- Outline of the following lectures
- What we should know (learning outcome)
- What we can do (policy contribution)
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3What is Life Science?
- Any field of science that is leading to or has
the potential to lead to an enhanced
understanding of living organisms, especially
human life. - E.g. Biology, proteomics, genetic engineering,
nanotechnology, aerosol technology, chemistry and
mathematics - (National Research Council, 2006 27)
- Applied in
- Public health, Medicine, Agriculture, Energy,
Environment and National security studies
4Biotechnology An integral part of national
strategy in the 21st Century
A growing market in Biotechnology the
pharmaceutical market (National Research
Council, 2006 85)
Region Annual Worth Share
North America 204 Billion 51
Europe 102 Billion 25
Japan 47 Billion 12
Asia, Africa, Australia 32 Billion 8
Latin America 17 Billion 4
- Similar results in number of researchers and
the amount of private investment for RD in the
life sciences - Rapid growth in the Asia-Pacific and the Middle
East - (ErnstYoung 2011, FrostSullivan 2010)
5Jordan Royal Scientific Society (RSS)
- The Royal Scientific Society (RSS) of Jordan was
established in 1970 by a Royal Decree as a
national, not-for-profit, non-governmental,
applied research institution designed to support
the continuous socio-economic development of
Jordan. - The RSS is mainly an applied research
institution, though it has an academic extension.
Young scientists are appointed as per the
regulations women represent around 30 of the
staff which totals around 584. The Society is
active in the Natural Sciences, as well as in
Health and Engineering. - (IAP 2012)
6Jordan Science Outlook
- Higher Council of Science and Technology
- Science, technology innovation profile of
Jordan - (Elshuraydeh, 2006)
- Science and Technology sector in Jordan can be
best described by some synthetic indicators. A
study conducted by the Higher Council for Science
and Technology, during the period 2002-2003
Science and Technology Requirements Survey
revealed that there were 835 national
institutions dealing with ST activities in 2003
to be compared with 524 in 2006. - The total number of employees working on ST
activities in 2003 was 42,151. The number of
Engineers Scientists in RD amounted to 1,464
FTE (Full Time Equivalent), equivalent to 2.7
percent of 10,000 populations.
7Jordan Life science outlook
- The Testing Sector of the RSS aims to maintain
and expand upon set standards for food safety,
health, and environment and raise these standards
and specifications for both imported and locally
produced products, including chemical and
biosafety. - On biosecurity, annual Biosafety and Biosecurity
International Conference (BBIC) has been
organized since 2009. - (RSS 2012)
8Princess Haya Biotechnology Center
- The center is located in King Abdullah University
Hospital building. It comprises a total of
sixteen research laboratories and occupies
approximately 1,500 square meters. -
- The center provides faculty members, graduate
students, and regional organizations with a
robust and excellent scientific infrastructure to
support important experimental research in
biotechnology, particularly in the fields of
genomics and proteomics. - One of the major objectives of Princess Haya
Biotechnology Center (PHBC) is to establish a
multidisciplinary research foundation and a
fundamental training center in the areas of
genomics and proteomics. Currently, the center is
seeking a high-throughput DNA sequencer and
MALDI-TOF machines for high throughput genomics
research and protein sequencing.
9King Hussein Institute for Biotechnology and
Cancer
- King Hussein Institute for Biotechnology and
Cancer (KHIBC) is a not-for-profit
nongovernmental organization established in
concordance with His Majesty King Abdullah II's
vision of transforming Jordan into a regional and
international center for healthcare and research
Furthermore, the Institute aims to advance life
sciences and biotechnology and their contribution
to medicine in the world through innovative
research and scientific discoveries. - The Center for Health Policy under the Office of
Science, Health and Research Policy at King
Hussein Institute for Biotechnology and Cancer
assesses Jordan's governance on research and
development in the field of biosciences and
biotechnology. It is also currently working with
key stakeholders and international organizations
on developing the National Medical Biotechnology
Strategy for Jordan.
10PubMed search with Jordan Middle East
11Scientific Journal in Jordan
- Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences
- The Jordanian Ministry of Higher Education and
Scientific Research in corporation with the
Hashemite University will publish a new
high-quality journal devoted to biological
sciences - Mainly welcome are contributions dealing with
cell biology, genomics, microbiology, immunology,
molecular biology, biochemistry, embryology,
immunogenetics,cell and tissue culture, molecular
ecology, genetic engineering and biological
engineering, bioremediation and biodegradation,
bioinformatics,biotechnology regulations, gene
therapy, organismal biology, microbial and
environmental biotechnology, marine sciences.
12Industrial Efforts
- MONOJO
- MONOJO was established in 2005 as a result of
four years of efforts and hard work between
public and private sectors, the company now
represents the new concept of knowledge base
economy and considers the trigger the
biotechnology industry in Jordan. - MONOJO is currently a member wihin UK BioIndustry
Association the association has enhanced
MONOJOs visibility, network, and relationships
with business decision-makers in the UK and
Europe bioscience industry. We operate in two
main countries The MONOJO in Jordan,in which
it constitutes the main companys RD and its
global business development and marketing
operations department for its innovative
bioproducts. The second main country is in the
United States of America (USA) by MONOJOs first
subsidiary The Columbia Biotech, this
subsidiary is a complementary for MONOJOs RD
department and its business development and
marketing operations.
13Nanotechnology in Jordan
- Jordan University of Science and Technology
- Nanotechnology Center
- The center was founded to participate in the
national and international efforts towards
achieving nanotechnology based solutions to
problems related to energy, healthcare and water
treatment. - The center aims to
- provide research and development environment for
researchers from Jordan and the region in micro
and nanotechnology. - Have a significant impact on education and
research in the area of nanotechnology and
promoting its advantages in finding solutions to
real life problems that otherwise will not be
possible. - Create a pool of researchers and trained experts
in nano-applications. - Attract local and international researchers and
investors from industry. - Put JUST and Jordan on the map of this
cutting-edge technology.
14Why do we care? Should this be an issue for us?
- The dual-use nature of science and technology
- Every major technology metallurgy, explosives,
internal combustion, aviation, electronics,
nuclear energy has been intensively exploited,
not only for peaceful purposes but also for
hostile ones. - Must this also happen with biotechnology,
certain to be a dominant technology of the
twenty-first century? - Matthew Meselson Professor of Molecular Biology
at Harvard University - (Meselson, 2000 16)
15Meselsons Forecast in 2000
- Ability
- Our ability to modify fundamental life processes
continues its rapid advance - We will be able not only to devise additional
ways to destroy life but will also become able to
manipulate it - Dilemma
- This has a Vast potential for beneficial
application and could have inimical consequences
for the course of civilization.
16Meselsons Forecast in 2000
- At present, we appear to be approaching a
crossroads a time that will test whether
biotechnology - Will come to be intensively exploited for hostile
purposes, or - Our species will find the collective wisdom to
take a different course.
17Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention
(BTWC)1972
- Article I
- Each State Party to this Convention undertakes
never in any circumstances to develop, produce,
stockpile or otherwise acquire or retain - 1. 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. - This applies not only to states but also to
non-state actors
18Science and Security Dual-Use
- The need for a broader conceptualisation of
dual-use - Biological agents and toxins can be used for
hostile purposes without weaponization and
technology is typically diffused globally for
peaceful purposes - Hostile use can take the form of criminal acts or
terrorist acts (non-state level) in parallel to
military application (state level), - The BTWC prohibits the misuse of the life
sciences by both states and non-state actors
19Jordan and international regimes
- WMD
- Jordan is not known to possess nuclear, chemical,
or biological weapons programs, or ballistic or
cruise missile systems. The country is a member
in good standing of all relevant nonproliferation
treaties and organizations, ...and Jordan is a
strong supporter of establishing a WMD-Free Zone
in the Middle East. - BTWC
- Signature (10 April 1972) Ratification (30 May
1975) - Since 2004, Jordan has launched several
initiatives to develop its biotechnology sector,
including establishing a National Center for
Biotechnology to serve as a central coordinating
institution for both domestic and international
biotechnology activities. - (Nuclear Threat Initiative 2012)
20Jordan and international regimes
- CWC
- Accession (29 October 1997)
- Amman has consistently been found in compliance
with its CWC commitments, and is not believed to
have pursued a chemical warfare capability. - However, Jordan shares borders with several
states suspected of chemical weapons activities,
and as such requires robust border security and
export controls to prevent its territory from
being used as an illicit transshipment route. - Jordan has invested heavily in counter-terrorism
efforts and has received training and other
assistance from the United States to secure its
borders against illicit trafficking. - (Nuclear Threat Initiative 2012)
21National Series Lecture Outline
- 2. Biosecurity Threats
- 3. The Web of Prevention
- 4. National Measures
- 5. Responsibility of Scientists
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22Reviewing threats (Lecture 2)
Natural outbreaks of infectious disease
Safety/accidental risks at laboratories
Manmade threats warfare, crime and terrorism
Unpredictable future of the life sciences
- No single focal point of threats
- Potential actors, material and information, which
can be related to dual-use issues, exist at
international, regional, national, local and
individual levels.
23The Web of Prevention (WoP) (Lecture 3)
- To address natural outbreaks of infectious
disease - Public health preparedness and response planning
- To address safety/accidental risks
- Laboratory regulations to safely manage
dangerous pathogens and toxins, to prevent an
accidental release into the environment and
unauthorized access - To address manmade threats
- Strong international arms control agreements with
effective national implementation - Internationally coordinated export controls
- Intelligence
- Biodefense
- To address the unpredictable future of the life
sciences - Oversight Review of security-sensitive science
and technology developments - Responsible conduct in research through education
24Natural threats
Safety risks
Manmade threats
Governance of science
25National implementation (Lecture 4)
To National Context
26National implementation (Lecture 4)
27Worldwide engagement of life scientists with the
WoP will
The need for responsible conduct in
research(Lecture 5)
- Effectively strengthen biosecurity measures by
requiring the engagement of practicing scientists - Prevent unnecessary restriction of scientific
freedoms
Engagement of informed life scientists about
biosecurity issues is key to successful security
- Education of, and capacity building among,
scientists on biosecurity issues is necessary for
successful security - Uninformed scientists no effective science
policy inputs to the WoP
28Biosecurity Definition issues
- The term biosecurity has been conceptualised
differently across various scientific and
professional disciplines - Areas The term has been used in ecology,
agriculture, food supply, arms control and public
health contexts, with different meanings and
conceptualisations - Policy processes these overlap with
interdisciplinary areas such as biosafety,
counter-terrorism, agricultural biosecurity and
biodiversity - Linguistic In addition to these conceptual
complications, biosecurity has also experienced
linguistic complications - (Fidler and Gostin 2007, Sunshine Project 2003,
Barletta 2002)
29National SeriesWoP Biosecurity Education
Biosecurity Competency
30References
- The references cited in this lecture are viewable
in the Notes section of this presentation.