Strengthening biological security after COVID-19: using cartoons for engaging life science stakeholders with the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC)

The devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have acutely shown the need for maintaining robust international and national systems for biological security and ensuring that life sciences are used only for peaceful purposes. Life science stakeholders can play an important role in safeguarding scientific and technological advances in biology and related fields against accidental or deliberate misuse, not least because they are on the frontlines of driving innovation. This paper argues that enhancing awareness and understanding of the risk of deliberate disease is essential for effective biological security. The paper first discusses the issue of ‘dual-use’ in science and technology as it relates to WMD disarmament and non-proliferation. Second, it reviews how scientist engagement with dual-use risks has been addressed in the context of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC). And third, the paper reports on the development of an innovative awareness-raising tool – a cartoon series – that can be used for engaging life science stakeholders with BTWC issues. The conclusion outlines a set of practical considerations for promoting sustainable life science engagement with the BTWC