National Series Lecture 1 Introduction Kazakhstan

1. National SeriesLecture 1IntroductionKazakhstan Bradford Disarmament Research CentreDivision of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, UK Picture Image Transparent Globe by digitalart- from: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

2. Outline • 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) Picture Image: Golden World In Hands by jscreationzs- from: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

3. What 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

4. Biotechnology: An integral part of national strategy in the 21st Century A growing market in Biotechnology: the pharmaceutical market (National Research Council, 2006: 85) • Similar results in number of researchers and the amount of private investment for R&D in the life sciences • Rapid growth in the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East • (Ernst&Young 2011, Frost&Sullivan 2010)

5. Kazakhstan: National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan • The National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan was founded in 1946 as a state institution that joins active members (academicians), corresponding-members and leading scientists of the Republic. • The main activity of the Academy is scientific research, analysis and prognosis of science development; priority directions of science development and scientific personnel training; scientific and expert provision, formation and coordination of scientific programmes; promotion of international cooperation, innovation and investment activity development. • Research is carried out in a number of areas, including: earth sciences, mathematics, informatics, physics, remote sensing and space technologies, chemistry, new materials, biologically active substances, biochemistry and physiology of plants, botany, soil sciences, social and humanitarian sciences. (IAP 2012)

6. Kazakhstan: National Center for Biotechnology • National Center for Biotechnology of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science (hereinafter - NCB) is the leading research center in the country, implementing the state policy on support and development of biotechnology sector. The Center coordinates and conducts government funded science and technology programs in the field of biotechnology, biosafety and ecology. • The research staff of NCB includes 350 highly qualified specialists in the field of biotechnology, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, virology, immunology and pharmacology

7. PubMed search with “Kazakhstan”

8. Publication • “Biotechnology. Theory and Practice”scientific journal has been published by National Center for Biotechnology since 1997. The journal publishes fundamental and applied - character articles, which reflect research outcomes in the field of biotechnology of microorganisms, plants and animals and ecological, veterinary and medicine biotechnology in Kazakhstan and beyond. • The journal is included in the List of publishers, recommended by the Control Committee in the Sphere of Education and Science of Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan for publication of research activity’s basic results. Its International Standard Serial Number is ISSN 1028-9399 • Publication conditions and more detailed information is on the journal’s web-site: www.biotechlink.org.

9. Kazakhstan: Scientific Collaborative Network (UNESCO) • Kazakhstan Scientific Collaborative Network is a Website prototype, which presents scientific and technological research information and institutions in Kazakhstan. . This "Website" is the beginning of online network of institutions and researchers for exchanges of scientific and technological information. • The "Website" consists of information regarding academic institutions, national centers, NGO's, private research institutes, proceedings, research achievements, urgent issues to address and current debates.  • Website prototype was created under UNESCO programme on Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future and Cross-Disciplinary Partnerships and Increasing Access to Scientific Information within the framework of the 2001 UNESCO Almaty Workplan for Science and in follow-up to the World Conference on Science

10. Investment: Ministry of Industry and New Technology of the Republic of Kazakhstan Biotechnology • Currently, home-produced medicines are 11% in Kazakhstan (including 1.1% of vaccines), veterinary drugs are 78 %, and the rest drugs are imported. The main problem for Kazakhstan is the lack of original domestic biotechnological medicines, although there are promising pilot developments. • Development of starter cultures, enzymatic drugs, dietary supplements and probiotics for the food and processing industry is another priority of biotechnology. • The main task for industry development: development and introduction of high technologies and competitive biotechnological products for health care and agriculture, environment protection, food and processing industry.

11. Investment: Ministry of Industry and New Technology of the Republic of Kazakhstan Pharmaceutical Industry • Kazakhstan depends on import of pharmaceutical raw material (substances), equipment and packing materials significantly. As of 2010, Kazakhstan medicine output is 11.4% of common pharmaceutical market, export is 1.6% and import is 90.2%. • Pharmaceutical industry of Kazakhstan depends on import of pharmaceutical raw material (substances), equipment and packing materials significantly. • As of June 1, 2011, 7 major large and medium pharmaceutical enterprises and plants have been registered. • “Niche” projects of pharmaceutical industry are the following:1) Construction of plant on production of single-use medical goods of polymeric materials – Almaty;2) Construction of plant on production of infusion solutions, pills, capsules and syrups – Almaty region

12. Relevant Useful Information by the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) • The ISTC website provides a comprehensive work done by the institution in Kazakhstan. • Those include not only biological science capacity building but also other projects on nuclear and chemical fields. • ISTC’s collaboration details with the National Biotechnology Center of Kazakhstan includes: K-1279: Artificial Seeds for Phytoremediation, K-1279.2: Artificial Seeds for Phytoremediation, K-1511: Wheat Yellow Rust, K-1955: Obsolete Organic Pesticides in Kazakhstan, K-415: Anti-Fungal Biopreparations for Animals, K-790: Identification and Separation of Kazakhstan's Natural Products…

13. Nanotechnology in Kazakhstan Collaboration with Russia • “The final documents were signed in Astana earlier today to set up a Russian-Kazakh Nanotechnology Venture Fund. • The fund, established in keeping with the agreements between President Dmitry Medvedev and his Kazakh counterpart, NursultanNazarbayev, is due to encourage the two countries’ joint effort to promote innovation in both nations. • The fund’s 100 million dollars will be invested in projects in Russia and Kazakhstan on a parity basis. Investments will be made in power production, including alternative sources of energy; in oil and gas production, telecommunications, biotechnology, electronics and environment-oriented technologies.”http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/12/21/62605700/

14. Why 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)

15. Meselson’s 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.”

16. Meselson’s 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.

17. Biological 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

18. Science and Security: Dual-Use The need for a broader conceptualisation of dual-use • Biological agents and toxins can be used for hostile purposes withoutweaponization 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

19. Kazakhstan and international regimes WMD • Kazakhstan inherited nuclear-tipped missiles, a nuclear weapon test site, and biological and chemical weapon production facilities when the Soviet Union collapsed. In its first decade of independence, Kazakhstan dismantled and destroyed Soviet weapons systems and facilities left on its territory, and signed major international nonproliferation treaties. BTWC • Accession (15 June 2007) • Kazakhstan is home to a significant number of anti-plague facilities, that were part of the Soviet biological warfare (BW) effort. In June 2007, Kazakhstan acceded to the Biological Toxin and Weapons Convention (BWC). Kazakh President Nazarbayev has declared Kazakhstan's commitment to biological weapons nonproliferation. However, the state is not yet a member of the Australia Group. (Nuclear Threat Initiative 2012)

20. Kazakhstan and international regimes CWC • Signature (14 January 1993); Ratification (10 December 1999) • Kazakhstan inherited one known chemical weapons production plant in the city of Pavlodar. This plant probably was designed to replace aging plants in Volgograd and Novocheboksarsk (Russia) for the production of the binary agent "novichok." The plant's construction was halted in 1987, after the Soviet Union became involved in CWC-related negotiations, so it never produced any chemical warfare agents. Kazakhstan joined the CWC in March 2000. However, Kazakhstan submitted a nil declaration, leaving out the Pavlodar facility. (Nuclear Threat Initiative 2012)

21. National Series: Lecture Outline 2.Biosecurity Threats 3. The Web of Prevention 4. National Measures 5. Responsibility of Scientists Picture Image: Transparent Globe by digitalart- from: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

22. Reviewing threats (Lecture 2) • ‘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. Natural outbreaks of infectious disease Safety/accidental risks at laboratories Manmade threats: warfare, crime and terrorism Unpredictable future of the life sciences

23. The 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

24. Natural threats Safety risks Manmade threats Governance of science

25. National implementation (Lecture 4) To National Context

26. National implementation (Lecture 4)

27. Worldwide engagement of life scientists with the WoP will: Effectively strengthen biosecurity measures by requiring the engagement of practicing scientists Prevent unnecessary restriction of scientific freedoms The need for responsible conduct in research(Lecture 5) • 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

28. Biosecurity: 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)

29. National Series:WoP = Biosecurity Education = Biosecurity Competency

30. References • The references cited in this lecture are viewable in the Notes section of this presentation.