International Workshop on "Education and Raising Awareness on Dual Use Sciences" and a Training on Bioethics

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The International workshop on Education and Raising Awareness on Dual Use Sciences and Training on Bioethics was held at Sarob, in a mountain resort outside Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan from 1-6 June 2015. The participants were the experts from Russia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Pakistan and the EU. The objective of the conference was to take into account the recommendations of the group experts under the discussion on the need for compliance with the international instrument on biosafety and bioethics principles and to recognize the urgency and importance of the issues discussed on education and awareness rising in dual-use sciences. The basic aim was to create information and to expand cooperation with the media to raise awareness about dual-use technologies, biosafety and bioethics.

The President ECOSF Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro participated in the event and made a presentation on ECO Science Foundation, Biosafety awareness and IBSE. Title of his presentation was; Awareness on Biosafety and Dual Use of Organisms in the ECO Region- Role of Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) and Coordination. President ECOSF emphasized on the "Cooperation and Collaboration" factor for the subject. President emphasized that global citizen should promote "responsible conduct and use" of science and technology (S&T) for economic development. S&T plays a major role in economic development and to sustain scientific and technological progress leading to economic development, education plays the crucial role to maintain the feeding-in of thinkers, innovators and well informed responsible scientists and citizens. The discovery of numerous biological organisms and gaining knowledge on their use has brought revolutionary significance and benefit to the mankind. However, since some organisms have dual use (beneficial & harmful), their abuse and negative use can lead to irreparable loss to various forms of life viz., humans, animals, plants and other microbes in the ecosystem. Thus understanding of this adverse use aspect of microorganisms and the risks associated with handling or mishandling them is vital for the global community. President ECOSF also elaborates the role of Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) implementation in ECO region.