applications of converging technologies for biosecurity

Applications of Converging Technologies for Biosecurity

Greg Tegart

CSES Victoria University

22/7/2009

Centre for Strategic Economic Studies 2

Background

Threat of emerging infectious diseases a major biosecurity issue E IDs cause illness and death, drain economies through cost of

treatment, generate indirect costs from lost work and reduced purchasing power and lead to trade sanctions which hinder economic growth.

More new diseases in last 20 years than in previous 50-75% originated in wildlife as wilderness habitats invaded and production systems more intensive leading to animal to human transmission

Particular relevance to Asia-Pacific region in view of recent outbreaks of SARS , avian influenza and swine flu

National and regional concern since diseases know no national boundaries!


Time for a New Approach

Need for an accelerated technological response to combat EIDs in region and thus reduce risk to public and animal health and to limit damage to environment and trade

Complex set of factors to be considered-social, economic and technological

Need to systematically draw on wide variety of inputs across disciplines

Concept of converging technologies based on nanotechnology,biotechnology,information technology and cognitive science has emerged in recent years as a useful tool.


Converging Technologies in Biomedicine


Australian example in 2007

Organised by ATSE and Australian Biosecurity CRC Brought together about 40 regional experts from

diverse disciplines –nanotechnology, human health, veterinary science, bioinformatics, communications, modelling, risk analysis and policy development-normally would not meet

Information flow seen as key to improved responsiveness: information generation and collection, information management, information analysis, use of analysis


Outcomes of Workshop

Identification of areas for urgent attention-improved generation, collection and management of data, better integration of diagnostic techniques into management, greater sharing of information, better links to policymakers

A better understanding among researchers of the social and cultural issues involved and the need for operational people to make decisions in absence of all the required information

Networking needed to promote interaction between different disciplines


APEC example in 2008

Carried out by APEC Center for Technology Foresight in Bangkok with support of APEC Industrial Science and Technology Working Group and APEC Health Task Force

Brought together a wide range of experts( some 200 in total) from many fields from across region in a series of structured workshops in Thailand, Japan and Taiwan- again these experts would normally never meet!

Used techniques of scenario creation and technology roadmapping

Time frame-short term 2007-2012, medium term 2012-2017, long term beyond 2017


Methodology


Scenarios

Scenarios were used as ways of developing internally consistent stories about possible futures,recognising that the future is complex,uncertain and ambiguous.

Drivers of change were identified and also key uncertainties.

4 scenarios were developed which showed that ubiquitous computing, treatment and diagnosis were critical areas.Within these a number of topics were identified.

A major outcome was an EID life cycle model.


EID Life Cycle Model


Technology Roadmapping

A roadmap is an extended look at the future of a chosen field of enquiry composed from collective knowledge and imagination of significant drivers of change

Basic elements-identify key technologies to respond to needs, define scope of applications in the defined time frames, identify political and economic challenges, identify R&D needed to achieve goals

The workshops identified six technology domains as critical to combating EIDs - ubiquitous computing, diagnostics, drugs, modelling, vaccines and tracking. Roadmaps have been developed for each of these to provide the basis for national and regional strategies.


Role of Technologies in Combating EIDs


Significant Conclusions of the Roadmaps (1)

Vaccines-development, production and delivery of vaccines are essential components of any strategy-new approaches based on genetic manipulation and molecular design will allow more rapid development

Diagnostics-range of tools to enhance diagnostic capability must be developed for Asia-Pacific region-must be low cost, portable with rapid information flow

Ubiquitous computing-integral part of new processes and tools in all domains-new approach needed for automated analysis of surveillance data to detect outbreaks


Significant Conclusions of the Roadmaps (2)

Modelling—availability of realistic models can assist policymakers in developing options for response-lack of real-time data limits use in outbreaks

Drugs- more effort needed on development of therapeutic drugs for more effective risk management

Tracking-miniaturised systems are being developed but need standards and protocols for trans-border application


Some Social and Ethical Issues

Reporting of outbreaks-threat to livelihood, cultural barriers, tracking sensitivity

Transmission of data-privacy, corruption of data Diagnosis-lack of local and regional facilities due

to political decisions, national sensitivity over ownership of data for vaccine production

Use of information in policy-local, regional and national sensitivity over control measures which damage economy


Conclusions

Converging technologies approach has been vital to tackle complex problem of EIDs as a biosecurity issue

Identification of significant changes needed to existing systems and of new areas for R&D

Need for collaboration and cooperation between traditionally separate fields of study

Recognition of complex cultural and ethical issues involved in all aspects from detection to control

applications of converging technologies for biosecurity

Documents

strategic economic studies

information technology

technology foresight

apec center

economic growth

information management

apec example

information generation