Ambitious Incrementalism

Sims, Nicholas A.; Littlewood, Jez

doi:10.1080/10736700.2011.618619

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 3 publications

(5 reference statements)

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“…Many of these issues have been addressed previously in other publications and for a [19][20][21][22][23][24], but the use of a robust dataset and systematic methodology in this study enabled the identification of key themes related to verification based on current perceptions among SPs and other experts. This data-driven, systematic effort documents both the diversity in how SPs understand core concepts under the umbrella of BWC assurance and general support for a myriad of assurance-related mechanisms, including in the absence of a comprehensive, legally binding protocol.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Framing the conversations outside the context of a comprehensive, legally binding protocol or verification regime helped maintain focus on the relative merits and limitations of-and the degree of support for-the mechanisms themselves. The researchers also raised the possibility of implementing assurance mechanisms outside of a comprehensive verification system to gauge interest in an incremental approach to assurance [7].…”

Section: Assurancementioning

confidence: 99%

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BWC Assurance: Increasing Certainty in BWC Compliance

Shearer¹,

Potter²,

Vahey³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Following the 2001 end to negotiations on a legally binding protocol, Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) states parties (SPs) developed entrenched positions about the necessity of a verification regime, hindering progress on treaty aims. This study aimed to facilitate dialogue on verification-related issues outside the context of those positions, using the term "assurance" to represent the degree of certainty that SPs are meeting their treaty obligations. From August 2020-July 2021, 36 interviews were conducted—16 SPs' delegations and 20 subject matter experts, representing 20 countries—and interview content was analyzed utilizing a mixed methods approach, including quantitative metrics on qualitative interview content. Interviewees' views on verification, compliance, and related concepts varied widely. Efforts by SPs to achieve common understanding on these topics could facilitate concrete progress in these important areas. While no single mechanism is sufficient to achieve verification or assess compliance, packages of mechanisms could increase assurance. There was general support for implementing assurance mechanisms, even in the absence of a comprehensive, legally binding protocol or verification regime, even among SPs for which that is the primary goal. Avenues to increase assurance among BWC stakeholders merit further discussion in the Intersessional Programme following the 9th BWC Review Conference.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Assurancementioning

confidence: 99%

BWC Assurance: Increasing Certainty in BWC Compliance

Shearer¹,

Potter²,

Vahey³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…Since negotiations on a verification protocol failed over US objections in 2001, institutional adaptation under the BWC has proceeded through decisions, recommendations and ‘additional understandings and agreements’ (i.e. agreed interpretations) of the periodic Review Conferences (RCs; Sims and Littlewood, ). RCs 6, 7 and 8 (respectively in 2006, 2011 and 2016) affirmed the Convention's coverage of ‘artificially created or altered microbial and other biological agents and toxins […] regardless of their origin and method of production’; as well as all relevant ‘scientific and technological developments in the life sciences’.…”

Section: Biosecuritymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to asymmetric implementation costs, the effective prevention of acquisition and use puts states without nonbiological weapons of mass destruction or credible conventional capacities at a relative disadvantage. Finally, the slow pace of the BWC process since 2001 limits the scope for linkage (Sims and Littlewood, ). In particular, some parties’ opposition to reopening negotiations on a verification protocol precludes the formation of package deals as part of larger political bargains.…”

Section: Biosecuritymentioning

confidence: 99%

Institutional Drift in International Biotechnology Regulation

Rabitz

2019

Global Policy

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Digitalization, genome editing and synthetic biology are presently leading to fundamental changes in the field of biotechnology. At the same time, international regulatory institutions have largely failed to adapt to those changes. This text evaluates the role of interests, knowledge and institutional factors for explaining nonadaptation, or ‘institutional drift’. Focusing on the domains of biosafety, biosecurity and genetic resources, the analysis highlights the explanatory power of knowledge and, to a lesser extent, interests, with institutional factors playing only a minor role. With global governance having to cope with profound changes in various technological fields, the text thus shows the broader importance of understanding the conditions under which international institutions do, or do not, adapt.

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A Phoenix of the Modern World: The Re-emergence of National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity and its Implications for Scientific Practitioners

Walther¹,

Dando²

2015

Absence in Science, Security and Policy

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Ambitious Incrementalism

Cited by 3 publications

References 3 publications

BWC Assurance: Increasing Certainty in BWC Compliance

BWC Assurance: Increasing Certainty in BWC Compliance

Institutional Drift in International Biotechnology Regulation

A Phoenix of the Modern World: The Re-emergence of National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity and its Implications for Scientific Practitioners

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