Carnegie Supports Biosecurity Education Project

	Biosecurity Education for Biology Researchers The Federation of American Scientists is currently developing an interactive teaching module to promote awareness of biosecurity issues among bioscience researchers. At this time, we are soliciting the bioscience community for examples of case studies that are illustrative of the security issues confronting researchers. To submit a case, or if you have questions, please contact Stephanie Loranger, PhD 202-454-4686 or sloranger@fas.org

In April the Carnegie Corporation of New York announced it would support FAS’ Biosecurity Project with a grant of $500,000 over two years. This will enable the project, directed by Stephanie Loranger, to produce a plan to establish centers for biosecurity policy at universities and other institutions that engage in biosecurity-related research. In FY 2005 for example, Congress appropriated $1.3 billion for biodefense research, including establishment of at least ten university centers dedicated to such work. The FAS project will consult with working scientists and lab officials to come up with a plan for guiding research and information dissemination – without hindering scientific freedom. It is hoped to have at least one center adopt this plan on a test basis. Universities around the country are welcome to participate.

FAS seeks participation in the second aspect of the project, which is to raise awareness among bioscientists of their responsibility to stop the potential misapplication of biotechnology.

The project will develop course modules drawing on experience from around the nation. To this end, we placed this ad in Biosecurity and Bioterrorism, a journal edited at the Center for Biosecurity of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

We welcome information on case examples that could be included in the course.