September 25, 2024

Bioethics and Dual Use in Life Science Research: Sharing Good Practices for Institutional Oversight Workshop

Health Security Partners (HSP), in collaboration with the U.S. State Department's Biosecurity Engagement Program (BEP) and the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC), hosted a 3-day workshop on Bioethics and Dual Use in Life Science Research: Sharing Good Practices for Institutional Oversight from 18-20 September 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan. The workshop brought together 11 stakeholders from public and private institutions across Kazakhstan. International subject matter experts presented on various dual-use research and bioethics topics. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the ethical challenges posed by advances in life sciences, ethical considerations in biotechnology, the governance of emerging technologies, and dual-use in the context of improving institutional oversight mechanisms in the research setting, focusing on how to address these issues within their institutions. HSP extends its gratitude to BEP, ISTC, the participants, and the speakers for their contributions to making this workshop a success. We look forward to continuing our efforts to strengthen dual-use oversight and bioethics in Kazakhstan!