Guidance for Enhancing Personnel Reliability and Strengthening ...

iosecurity and the dual use implications of life sciences research. Instruction on
biosecurity and dual use research in undergraduate and graduate ethics courses should
include discussion of the relationship between laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, the
extant biosecurity regulations (e.g., the Select Agent Rules), the concept of dual use research
and its application to the life sciences, the role of personal responsibility in maintaining a
culture of trust and responsibility within the life sciences research endeavor, and potential
resources to utilize for further understanding of dual use research or biosecurity. (See
example course topic list, Box 3.) In addition, because courses on the responsible conduct of
research (RCR) and research ethics are often only required for students and trainees, it is
necessary to additionally ensure that more established researchers and other laboratory
personnel are also educated or provided a refresher course. One way in which this can be
accomplished is by incorporating a module on biosecurity and reliability into an extant
annual training program.
Box 3. Topics in Biomedical Ethics Lecture for Graduate Students
Where safety and security meet
- Relationship between safety and security
- Who are the interested parties?
Select Agent Rules
- What are they and from where did they come?
- What do they mean for us?
Dual use research
- Can we define it?
- Will we know it when we see it?
What is our responsibility?
- Do we need a code of ethics?
- If we do nothing, others will certainly do something.
Source: Theresa M. Koehler, PhD, University of Texas, Houston Health Science Center.
3.2.3 Codes of Conduct
Codes of conduct are implemented to strengthen the concepts of personnel reliability and a
culture of responsibility within the setting of an institution or to foster a sense of heightened
awareness and responsibility among members of a formal group such as a scientific society
or association. Codes of conduct for scientists engaged in life sciences research serve to
reflect the professional identity of life scientists and to address and prevent the unethical
use of biological research. Such codes can be a tool in setting clear expectations critical to
prevention of misuse and helping to clarify key aspects of the social responsibilities of
scientists. In itself, a code of conduct reflects an ethic of responsibility.
If undertaken as a voluntary, grass-roots initiative, the process of incorporating or adapting a
code of conduct can be an effective way to increase awareness about biosecurity and dual
use dilemmas related to life sciences research. The process of debating and building
consensus on the content of a code (e.g., the specific responsibilities or values that will be
spelled out in its provisions) can be very empowering and can inculcate a sense of
“ownership,” commitment, and achievement among engaged individuals.
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