Neuroscience-Based Weapons

The focus of this chapter is on the efforts aimed at preventing that cutting-edge scientific and technological advances in the areas of biological and chemical sciences are misused for the development of weapons targeted at the nervous system. It advances the argument that the effective governance of dual-use research requires the active engagement of the chemical and biological science communities. The chapter begins by looking into the issue of dual-use science and how it relates to the international chemical and biological disarmament and non-proliferation regime. It then reviews the efforts made by States Parties within the framework of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention to strengthen the international prohibitions against chemical and biological weapons. The chapter further reviews various scientist engagement initiatives that seek to promote a culture of responsibility among researchers with a particular emphasis on awareness-raising and education activities regarding dual-use issues among those in the field of neuroscience. It concludes by identifying options for enhancing scientist participation in strengthening the chemical and biological disarmament regime.