Risk Assessment

Pathogens know no boundaries - geopolitical or bureaucratic.  As a consequence, efforts to manage biological risk have to be whole-of-government and international.  But effective international coordination of biological risk management requires a common language and common methodologies for biological risk assessment. 

Current biological risk assessment methodology does not meet the ideal requirements of policymakers and the biological risk assessment which is performed is done in a bureaucratically compartmentalized way which leads to an under-evaluation of the benefits of preparedness and response measures and hence a suboptimal allocation of resources. Furthermore, there is insufficient international coordination and cooperation with regards to biological risk assessment, mitigation and management. ICLS has projects underway to address current issues with biological risk assessment methodology and practice, and international coordination of biological risk assessment, mitigation and management.

Developing a shared language and common methodology for assessing biological risks - regardless of origin - could make a substantial contribution to reducing the risk of the misuse of the life sciences. The ICLS, in partnership with the Royal Society, has formed a study group of experts in risk assessment, international security and infectious disease.

The Group goals:

• Examine the full biological risk spectrum,
• Identify advances in the life sciences and assess the implications for public health, safety and security and
• Put forth new ideas for developing a common methodology for conducting and communicating biological risk assessments.

The first meeting of the group of experts on "Developing New Approaches to Biological Risk Assessment" took place in February 2009 at the Royal Society.  Read the full report in English and Russian.  

Get Involved

For more information, please contact Tatiana Elleman (elleman at iclscharter.org) 

Resources

Partner organization, the Royal Society - website: http://royalsociety.org/