2005 Meeting: Professional Scientific Responsibility

Professional Responsibility of Scientists: The 2005 Biological Weapons Convention Meeting of Experts

Under the aegis of the Biological Weapons Convention, experts from national governments, international organizations and scientific and professional associations discussed "Codes of Conduct for Scientists" over a two-week period in Geneva, Switzerland, June 13-24, 2005. Concerns about the misuse of biotechnology and a desire to preserve the free flow of scientific information have spurred discussion about scientific professional responsibility and the role of national governments.

The purpose was to exchange information and encourage and promote efforts by scientists to draft their own codes, rather than for meeting participants to draft such a code. We believe that the best policies in this area will come about if the scientific community develops standards of professional responsibility for itself. We encourage life scientists in academia, industry and government to join in the developing dialogue by raising the issue with colleagues, in their professional societies, academies and institutions.

The Biological Weapons Convention bans biological and toxin weapons and has 154 States Parties. In 2002, the Biological Weapons Convention member states decided to hold a series of three annual meetings starting in 2003, to discuss issues of importance to the Convention.

U.S. Government presentations from the June 2005 meeting are available for viewing via the link at left.