As global life sciences research accelerates, the risks of its misuse—either by accident or intent—are becoming more acute. In response, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) has released a new report, Biorisk Governance: Advancing Biosecurity Education for Life Scientists (2025), calling for a global shift in how life scientists are educated about biosecurity, biosafety, and dual-use concerns.
Written by Sarah Ruth Opatowski, the report draws from dozens of international case studies and current efforts to raise awareness about biorisks among researchers, students, educators, and public health professionals. It proposes a practical roadmap to make biosecurity education more consistent, accessible, and sustainable across countries and institutions. This call to action is particularly timely as international bodies such as the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) seek new strategies to prevent the hostile use of biological research.
Key Findings: Diverse Models, Shared Goals
UNIDIR’s research identifies a wide array of existing biosecurity education efforts around the world—ranging from curricular modules and professional certifications to online platforms and regional workshops. In Malaysia and Pakistan, biosecurity is integrated into national university curricula, while organizations like the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA) offer globally recognized professional certifications. Other efforts include Brazil’s cyberbiosecurity training, Ukraine’s translation of core materials into local languages, and Africa CDC’s regional certification system for biosafety experts.
These initiatives often fall into seven common categories: curricular modules, specialized workshops, translation and localization, certification programs, dedicated centres, scientific networks, and online educational platforms. While these approaches differ in scale and structure, they share the same objective: to build a culture of responsibility and awareness within the life sciences. The report underscores that no single model is universally applicable—but collectively, these diverse efforts represent a growing global consensus on the need for more robust biosecurity education.
Why Biosecurity Education Matters for National and Global Health Security
The implications of strengthening biosecurity education go beyond academic settings. Dual-use research—scientific work intended for beneficial purposes that could also be exploited for harm—has been a growing concern for years. From gene editing to synthetic biology, the same tools that promise breakthroughs in medicine can also be repurposed as biological weapons.
By equipping life scientists with the awareness and tools to recognize and manage these risks, biosecurity education serves as a frontline defense. This is not just a scientific or academic issue—it is one of national interest. Public health systems, biodefense readiness, and even global economic stability depend on minimizing the risk of biological incidents, whether accidental or deliberate. A well-informed life science community is essential to protecting both public safety and national security in an era of rapidly advancing biotechnology.
International Leverage: The Role of the BWC and WHO
Two major global institutions are already working to mainstream biosecurity awareness. The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) has emphasized education as a key component of national treaty implementation, with States Parties encouraged to promote responsible conduct training for scientists. The BWC’s Working Group now provides a formal mechanism to review and coordinate these efforts internationally.
Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has integrated biosecurity education into its 2022 Global Guidance Framework for the Responsible Use of Life Sciences and launched a Technical Advisory Group in 2023 to support dual-use governance. WHO’s development of online, self-paced learning modules has opened access to foundational training for scientists worldwide, while also providing guidance on national policy development.
These international mechanisms help unify standards, encourage best practice sharing, and support capacity-building across borders—particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Looking Ahead: A Roadmap for Sustainable Biosecurity Education
The UNIDIR report outlines a five-part strategy to systematize and strengthen biosecurity education efforts globally:
- Create a Global Repository – A centralized, multilingual platform for sharing materials, modules, and case studies.
- Develop Sustainable Resources and Networks – Including funding streams and local champions to keep programs active and relevant.
- Assess and Learn from Impact – Evaluating what works and adapting based on evidence from prior initiatives.
- Promote and Disseminate Widely – Through targeted outreach, textbook integration, academic champions, and presentations at scientific conferences.
- Integrate with Broader Governance – Linking education to real-world mechanisms for addressing concerns, including reporting channels and institutional guidelines.
The report also warns that education alone is not enough. Without pathways for scientists to act on biosecurity concerns—through institutional reporting structures or national oversight systems—awareness can quickly lose momentum. Education must be coupled with governance frameworks that enable action and accountability.
Sarah Ruth Opatowski, Biorisk Governance: Advancing Biosecurity Education for Life Scientists. UNIDIR, Aug 2025.