Abstract:
The rapid advancement of synthetic biology, gene editing, and AI-driven design tools has expanded the scope of dual-use research of concern (DURC), raising new challenges for global biosafety governance. In parallel, geopolitical tensions exacerbate the risks associated with biological threats, as state and non-state actors may exploit scientific innovations for harmful purposes. This presentation explores the opportunities and obstacles for enhancing biosafety in this evolving landscape. It examines the limitations of current international frameworks, such as the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and the Geneva Protocol, and the need for robust verification mechanisms and global cooperation. Additionally, it highlights the importance of integrating scientific responsibility, institutional vigilance, and adaptive legal tools to prevent biological misuse. It is becoming critically important that we reinforce biosecurity norms and embrace multilateralism to address the dual challenges of technological disruption and political instability. Such ethics and policy foresight is necessary to achieve more resilient biosafety while preserving the capacity to embrace the therapeutic potential of genomics.
About the Speaker:
Prof Yann Joly
Director of the Centre of Genomics and Policy (CGP) at McGill University, Canada
Yann Joly, Ph.D. (DCL), FCAHS, Ad.E. is the Director of the Centre of Genomics and Policy (CGP) at McGill University. He is a James McGill Professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Human Genetics. Prof. Joly is also an associate member of the Department of Equity, Ethics and Policy (DEEP) and at the Law Faculty at McGill. He was named advocatus emeritus by the Quebec Bar in 2012 and Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in 2017. Prof. Joly’s research interests lie at the interface of the fields of scientific knowledge, health law (biotechnology and other emerging health technologies) and bioethics. He created the first international genetic discrimination observatory (GDO https://gdo.global/en/gdo-description) in 2018. He has published his findings in over 250 peer-reviewed articles featured in top legal, ethical and scientific journals. He served as a legal advisor on multiple research ethics committees in the public and private sectors.
Chair: Prof Gilberto Leung, Co-Director, HKU Centre for Medical Ethics and Law
Co-organisers:
Centre for Medical Ethics and Law, HKU
Medical Ethics and Humanities Unit, HKUMed
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