Conversion of former BTW facilities : [proceedings of the NATO advanced research workshop on conversion of former BTW facilities : development & production of prophylactic, diagnostic & therapeutic measures for countering diseases, Budapest, Hungary, 5-9

The development, production, stockpiling and use in war of biological and toxin weapons are prohibited by international law. Although not explicitly stated, the two treaties outlawing such activities, the Geneva Protocol of 1925 and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention of 1972, prohibit the continuation of activities previously performed in Biological and Toxin Weapons facilities not justified for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes. Because conversion and other means of cessation of former BTW facilities are not explicitly addressed in the treaties mentioned above the problems involved in conversion ofBTW facilities have thus far only been discussed marginally in the open literature. In times of increased awareness of the danger of biological and toxin warfare (including the increased danger of terrorist use of biological and toxin weapons) it seemed necessary to us to invite experts from different parts of the world to discuss the pros and cons of conversion and the problems involved. It also became obvious to us that the conversion of former BTW facilities should be discussed with respect to the necessity of peaceful internatioual cooperation in areas related to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. An additional reason to discuss matters of peaceful cooperation is that cooperation is explictly requested by Article X of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. Front Matter....Pages i-viii Conversion of Former BTW Facilities — Questions and Problems....Pages 1-10 Conversion of Chemical Weapons Production Facilities Under the Chemical Weapons Convention....Pages 11-24 Biotechnology in a Peaceful World Economy....Pages 25-43 Redirecting Biological Warfare Capacity to International Health Biotechnology....Pages 45-51 Conversion of BTW Facilities: Lessons from German History....Pages 53-66 Challenges of BW Control and Defense During Arms Reduction....Pages 67-72 Conversion of Past Biological Weapons Facilities: Lessons from Western Conversion....Pages 73-83 Development of Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing at Fort Detrick, Maryland....Pages 85-106 Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Aspects of Conversion....Pages 107-117 The Possibilities and Limitations of Biological Weapons Conversion....Pages 119-133 Controlling Dangerous Pathogens: A Blueprint for U.S.-Russian Cooperation....Pages 135-148 The Need for International Cooperation to Provide Transparency and to Strengthen the BTWC....Pages 149-156 Redirection of BW Experts in the Framework of the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC)....Pages 157-165 Conversion of BW Facilities in Kazakstan....Pages 167-186 Facilitating the Conversion of BTW Facilities Through International Technical Cooperation: BTWC Implications....Pages 187-199 The AD Hoc Group: Past Biological Weapons Facilities....Pages 201-208 Back Matter....Pages 209-222

the Development, Production, Stockpiling And Use In War Of Biological And Toxin Weapons (btw) Are Prohibited By International Law. However, Conversion Of Btw Facilities Has Not Been Dealt With In The Existing, Open Literature On Conversion. This Is Partly Due To The Fact That Btw Programmes To A Large Degree Involve Dual-use Activities And It Is Thus Difficult To Differentiate Them Form Defensive And Civilian Activities Involving Pathogenic Biological Agent And Toxins. It Is Thus Also Difficult To Assess Whether Or Not A Btw Facility Has Actually Been Converted.
In Conversion Of Former Btw Facilities, Experts From Five Countries Discuss General Aspects Of Conversion And Describe The Conversion Of Former Facilities In Germany, The Uk, Usa, Russia, And Kazachstan.
Audience: Experts In Disarmament, Btw Problems, Biotechnology, Health Care And Related Areas.

Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Conversion of Former BTW Facilities: Development & Production of Prophylactic, Diagnostic & Therapeutic Measures for Countering Diseases, Budapest, Hungary, 5-9 November 1997