Toxin and Bioregulator Weapons

This book explores how revolutionary developments and convergence of the chemical, life and associated sciences are impacting contemporary toxin and bioregulator research, and examines the risks of such research being misused for malign purposes. Investigating illustrative cases of dual use research of potential concern in China, India, Iran, Russia, Syria and the USA, the authors discuss how states can ensure such research and related activities are not utilised in weapons development. Although toxins and bioregulators are, in theory, covered by both the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and Chemical Weapons Convention, this apparent overlap in reality masks a dangerous regulatory gap – with neither Convention implemented effectively to address threats of weaponisation. This book highlights the potentially damaging consequences for international peace and security, and proposes realistic routes for action by states and the scientific community.  

“This book is a must-read for scholars and practitioners specialising in International Relations, Law, Political Science, and Strategic Studies, who wish to gain an in-depth insight into the dynamics of chemical and biological disarmament. The added value of the book is that it enables the reader to engage with the issue of dual-use research through the use of concrete examples. As such, it can also be of interest to professionals within Chemical and Life Sciences.” (Tatyana Novossiolova, Journal on Chemical and Biological Weapons, Vol. 15 (3-4), July-December, 2022)

“… Robinson was writing in 2008 but Crowley and Dando conclude (p 272) that his concern remains justified today, because the formal overlap between the two Conventions masks a regulatory gap. They have made an impressive contribution to addressing this gap, surveying the field of toxin and bioregulator research with potential military applications and offering remedies to alleviate the problem. … Crowley and Dando rightly stress the importance of the General Purpose Criterion on which both Conventions are based. That criterion assures their comprehensiveness of scope. It also future-proofs them. The task now is to make sure that the significance of the General Purpose Criterion is fully appreciated and the CBW ban in its entirety is not eroded, whether at the edges or through a "mid-spectrum" gap. Their book is a most valuable contribution in that task.” (Nicholas A Sims, Emeritus Reader in International Relations, London School of Economics, UK)

“Unrivalled collection of concrete examples from across the globe of research where potential for weaponisation and opportunities for repression are high, but intent is unclear or could easily be misperceived. A substantial contribution to the current international debate on how we can raise political and legal barriers to prevent States misusing life science advances.” (Filippa Lentzos, Senior Lecturer in Science and International Security, King's College London, UK)

“This book investigates the often-neglected issue of the regulation of mid-spectrum agents under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention through the application of a standardised methodology to six country case studies: China, India, Iran, Russia, Syria and the United States. It reviews how we should think about preventing the misuse and promoting non-proliferation of chemical substances such as toxins and bio-regulators that affect our physical life, and raises important issues within the framework of both the biological weapons prohibition and the chemical weapons prohibition. It also asks the key question of how should we respond to the current state of research and development in the life sciences? The book’s approach to the dual-use nature of advanced life science research on chemicals is a must-read for all concerned.” (Nariyoshi Shinomiya, President of the National Defense Medical College of Japan)

“The deadly wars in Ukraine, Syria, and Iraq have shown the continuing potential and real risks of large-scale use of banned chemical and biological agents and munitions, while other malign applications are evident from recent chemical assassination attempts in Russia, Britain, and Malaysia. This new volume by Crowley and Dando sheds light on the dangerously neglected threats from toxin and bioregulator weapons and gives stark warning that current failure to regulate the rapidly advancing chemical and life sciences could allow development of new forms of such weapons capable of attacking diverse human life processes. It well argues for the need to urgently strengthen implementation of both the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and Chemical Weapons Convention to comprehensively address these dangers. It is highly recommended to all readers involved in international law and security; arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation; chemical and biological research and industry; and associated science and technology horizon scanning.” (Paul F. Walker, Vice Chair, Arms Control Association, and International Coordinator, CWC Coalition)

 

Michael Crowley is Honorary Visiting Senior Research Fellow at Bradford University, and  Research Associate with the Omega Research Foundation, UK.

Malcolm R. Dando FRSB is Leverhulme Emeritus Fellow at Bradford University, UK.