Abstract
172 1. The Biological and Toxin Weapons Con ven tion (BTWC) was opened for signature on 10 April 1972 and entered into force on 26 March 1975. The Co-Depositaries for this Convention are the Russian Federation, the United King dom and the United States. This Convention was the first one to totally prohibit the development, production and stockpiling of a class of weapons of mass destruction — that involving the use of biological agents and toxins as weapons. The Ukraine was one of the original States Parties who signed the Convention on 10 April 1972 and for whom the Convention entered into force on 26 March 1975. The central prohibition is set out in Article I of the Convention [1] under which: 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 quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes; (2) Weapons, equipment or means of delivery designed to use such agents or toxins for hostile purposes or in armed conflict. 2. In accordance with Article XII of the Convention, Review Conferences have been held at five year intervals — in 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001/2, 2006 and 2011 — to UDK 608.3+623.458
Highlights
Another essential prerequisite is that the scientist providing scientific advice is able to analyse and summarise the relevant scientific aspects of the particular topic on which advice is to be given to the policy makers and diplomats
The relevant scientific aspects have to be analysed, summarized and presented in the context of the Convention together with proposals as to what steps should be taken by the policy makers and diplomats
This paper has sought to give an indication of the breadth of activities that scientists need to be aware of if they are to be effective in providing advice to the policy makers and the diplomats in Government
Summary
The scientist needs to be aware of the extended understandings that have been agreed by the States Parties at the successive Review Conferences. This overall awareness and understanding is essential if the advice is going to be credible and helpful to the policy makers and diplomats. Another essential prerequisite is that the scientist providing scientific advice is able to analyse and summarise the relevant scientific aspects of the particular topic on which advice is to be given to the policy makers and diplomats. These scientists providing policy advice need to be aware that the terminology used in regard to terms such as biosafety, biosecurity and food security can be different in the WHO, OIE and FAO arenas than that used in the context of the Convention
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