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19/01/2004
Bio-weapons treaties 'weakened' by absence of watchdog
International restrictions on biological and toxin-related weapons have been "critically weakened" due to the absence of an independent verification body, the Royal Society urged today.
Governments worldwide should establish an independent body to enforce the 1975 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, according to the Royal Society's response to the House of Lords' Science and Technology Committee’s consultation on science and international agreements.
The society said that the convention banning the development, production and stockpiling of biological weapons was "critically weakened" because it lacked an international scientific body and does not contain any 'verification' procedures to ensure that the parties who have signed it comply.
The society said that a body, similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency, would strengthen agreements and ensure that the "momentum to achieve their objectives is maintained".
Professor Julia Higgins, Foreign Secretary of the Royal Society, said: “The absence of a formal scientific advisory panel is a major constraint to developing a more effective Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.
"There is also the consideration that many agents may have ‘dual use’ application, or in other words that some research unconnected with biological and chemical weapons, may also be used for military or terrorist purposes. An independent advisory panel of scientists could provide sound scientific advice to help negotiate these obstacles.”
(gmcg)
Governments worldwide should establish an independent body to enforce the 1975 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, according to the Royal Society's response to the House of Lords' Science and Technology Committee’s consultation on science and international agreements.
The society said that the convention banning the development, production and stockpiling of biological weapons was "critically weakened" because it lacked an international scientific body and does not contain any 'verification' procedures to ensure that the parties who have signed it comply.
The society said that a body, similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency, would strengthen agreements and ensure that the "momentum to achieve their objectives is maintained".
Professor Julia Higgins, Foreign Secretary of the Royal Society, said: “The absence of a formal scientific advisory panel is a major constraint to developing a more effective Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.
"There is also the consideration that many agents may have ‘dual use’ application, or in other words that some research unconnected with biological and chemical weapons, may also be used for military or terrorist purposes. An independent advisory panel of scientists could provide sound scientific advice to help negotiate these obstacles.”
(gmcg)
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Legion urges public inquiry into Gulf War vaccinations
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