Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021

1pm – 3:00pm EST, Hosted virtually

Panel DISCUSSION: Dual USe ReseArch of COncern

Knowledge, techniques, and products of life science research can often be used in more than just in the original proposed application. This is a great source for innovation but at the same time some research projects have a high potential to be misused and to cause harm. Risks stemming from this “dual-use research of concern (DURC)” are adressed by biosecurity regulations and export control measures of pathogens. However, with the rapid advances in biotechnology, do these measures still hold up to the challenges we face regarding DURC in the near future?

In our panel discussion, we want to bring together different stakeholders to discuss the potential risks posed by research in the life sciences and whether new frameworks are needed to address them. We want to explore how risks can be mitigated and at the same time scientific progress can be ensured.

The panel is free and attendance is open to all!

Moderator: Christopher K. Yost - University of Regina; Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Microbiology

Panelists: Svenja Vinke & Irina Rais - Creators of the DURC workshop

Hans-Joachim Wieden - University of Lethbridge, Director of the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute

Rebecca Moritz - Colorado State University, CSU Biosafety Director

Daniel Feakes - UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, Chief of the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit

Cody Anderson - Public Health Agency of Canada, Manager for Emerging Technologies

Christopher J. Nelson - University of Victoria, Co-Editor-in-Chief of Biochemistry and Cell Biology

The organization of the panel discussion is done by the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI) at the University of Lethbridge, in collaboration with Synbio Canada.