National Series Lecture 1 Introduction Jordan

1. National SeriesLecture 1IntroductionJordan 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. Jordan: 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)

6. Jordan: 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 S&T activities in 2003 to be compared with 524 in 2006. • The total number of employees working on S&T activities in 2003 was 42,151. The number of Engineers & Scientists in R&D amounted to 1,464 FTE (Full Time Equivalent), equivalent to 2.7 percent of 10,000 populations.

7. Jordan: 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)

8. Princess 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.

9. King 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. 

10. PubMed search with “Jordan Middle East”

11. Scientific 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. 

12. Industrial 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 MONOJO’s 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 company’s R&D 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 MONOJO’s first subsidiary “The Columbia Biotech”, this subsidiary is a complementary for MONOJO’s R&D department and its business development and marketing operations. 

13. Nanotechnology 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.

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. Jordan 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)

20. Jordan 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)

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.