50 Years of the Biological Weapons Convention

Marking the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), this book collects contributions by leading scholars and practitioners to assess the legacy, current challenges, and future trajectory of one of the cornerstone treaties in arms control and disarmament. As the first multilateral treaty to ban an entire class of weapons, the BWC has played a central role in shaping international norms against the hostile use of biology. Yet, half a century later, questions about its effectiveness, enforcement and evolution remain.

This volume offers an examination of the BWC's development, from its Cold War origins to its modern-day relevance in a world marked by rapid advances in biotechnology, increasing geopolitical tensions, and emerging biological threats. The contributions reflect on the treaty's history, assess its institutional and normative strengths and shortcomings, and engage with contemporary points of contention, including dual-use research and verification.

Looking forward, the volume discusses possible pathways for strengthening the BWC, exploring new mechanisms for compliance, transparency and international cooperation. It also addresses the importance of bridging the gaps between scientific innovation, policy development and security governance.

Intended for both academic audiences and policy practitioners, 50 Years of the Biological Weapons Convention provides critical insights and forward-looking perspectives on the enduring relevance of the BWC. Whether read as a historical retrospective or a call to action for the future of biological disarmament, this collection offers an essential resource for those committed to understanding and enhancing global biosecurity in an increasingly complex world.

Barry de Vries is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, while Kristoffer Burck and Sannimari Veini are Research Assistants; all three editors work in the Chair for Public Law and International Law Department of the Justus-Liebig University Giessen in Giessen, Hessen, Germany.

Chapter 16 and chapter 17 are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.spriner.com

Comprehensive Scope: Past, Present, and Future Policy-Relevant and Academically Rigorous Interdisciplinary, Expert Perspectives

Autorentext

Barry de Vries is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, while Kristoffer Burck and Sannimari Veini are Research Assistants; all three editors work in the Chair for Public Law and International Law Department of the Justus-Liebig University Giessen in Giessen, Hessen, Germany.

Inhalt

1. Introduction: The Biological Weapons Convention at 50.- 2. Public Resistance to Biological Weapons in the 1960s: The Case of the UK.- 3. The Singular Position of France Towards the Biological Weapons Convention as a Critic of the Treaty and its Fluctuating Negotiations.- 4. Reflections on the Past, Present and Future of the Biological Weapons Convention Research Community.- 5. Fifty Years of Efforts to Strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention: A Long and Winding Road.- 6. The Legal Corrolary of the Biological Weapons Convention as Included in the Convention's Preamble.- 7. Article V of the Biological Weapons Convention: Between a Compliance Mechanism and a Dispute Settlement Agreement.- 8. The BWC's Increasing Interconnectedness.- 9. Review Conferences: The Lifeblood of the Convention.- 10. The BWC and UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004): Strengthening the 'Quasi-Compliance' Role of the 1540 Committee Against Bioterrorism.- 11. BWC and the Regional: Permeation of and Reflection on the Biological Weapons Prohibition in Regional Institutions.- 12. How Can Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society Groups Effectively Support an Effective International Prohibition Regime? Perspectives Following Two Review Conferences.- 13. Dual-Use of Biotechnology, Biodefense, and Challenges to the Future Verification of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.- 14. The Evolution of BWC Article X and Prospects for International Cooperation in the Future.- 15. A Structured Approach to Review: Emerging Trends in Biotechnology Research and Innovation.- 16. The Biological Weapons Convention in the Age of Synthetic Nucleic Acids.- 17. The Calculation BWC+S&T+Verification Does Not Work without the Variable Convergence.- 18. Where Did The Biological Weapons Convention Come From? Indicative Timeline and Key Events, 1925-1975.