The revolution in biotechnology presents unprecedented opportunities and dangers for the health and well being of humankind. Today, one can plausibly imagine the eradication of many historic diseases. One can also envisage the creation of new diseases that would endanger a substantial proportion of the entire human species. As powerful applications for biotechnology research are identified, appropriate arrangements for managing their extraordinary consequences will inevitably become necessary.

This workshop is being co-organized by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) and the Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland (CISSM), and is designed to engage a broad range of government, scientific, public health, academic, international security, and industry experts from the Middle East and North Africa on the issue of dual-use biotechnology research.

It has two primary goals:

1) To help raise awareness among key stakeholders about the dual-use issue.

2) To obtain feedback on the proposals that have been developed for managing the most consequential areas of dual-use research, whether government, academic or industry-sponsored.

A number of 25 participants from regional and international organizations, government science and health ministries, research institutions, academia and industry are expected to attend.