Biological & Toxin Weapons Convention

In July 2014, the iGEM Calgary team connected with the Public Health Agency of Canada and Department of Foreign Affairs to discuss biosecurity, and its applications within iGEM. It was proposed that representatives from the team could join the Canadian delegation to the upcoming Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention at the United Nations to present their research and the work happening within iGEM. The BTWC hosts an audience of over 170 government delegations, representatives from many leading international organizations, and is a major force guiding international biological policy.

The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) is the first multilateral disarmament treaty banning the production of an entire category of weapons. Existing since 1925, the convention prohibits the development, production and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons. 170 states have currently ratified the convention, and convene biannually to further the agreement. The first of the biannual meetings is the ‘Meeting of Experts’, followed by the ‘Meeting of States Parties’. The Meeting of Experts seeks to bring together those who affect biological policy with representatives from both industry and academia in the field of pathogenic and infectious diseases.

As the only undergraduate students invited to the conference, the experience was unprecedented for both the students and attendees. Their presence was incredibly well received, and a representative was invited to address the con convention as a non-governmental organization. The team also presented a poster and was profiled in the Canadian delegation address.

iGEM Calgary’s four representatives were privy to all conference events and agenda items including side events and intergovernmental luncheons. Sessions such as ‘Synthetic Biology and Biosecurity: How scared should we be?’ and ‘Regulating Gene Drives’ proved to be insightful in terms of presenting the cutting edge of biology while also considering the policy and public health concerns that surround these advances. iGEM was mentioned by multiple governments when discussing the driving forces behind synthetic biology. It is clear that the iGEM competition is influencing the international stage, and gaining notice on a large scale. It’s also clear that appropriate policies and regulations must be in place to regulate the use of biological agents for the safety of all.