GAO-01-582 Weapons of Mass Destruction: State Department Oversight of Science Centers Program

Since 1994, the United States has appropriated $227 million to support two multilateral science centers in Russia and Ukraine that pay scientists of the former Soviet Union who once developed nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and missile systems to conduct peaceful research. By employing scientists through the science centers, the United States seeks to reduce proliferation risks associated with underemployed, highly trained scientists who could be tempted to sell their expertise to terrorist groups or countries of concern such as Iran, Iraq, or North Korea. Accordingly, the program has employed thousands of weapons scientists in a variety of research areas, including projects aimed at developing new anticancer drugs, improving nuclear safety, and enhancing environmental cleanup techniques. The State Department plays an active role in selecting the research projects for funding that meet program objectives and assuring adequate program oversight.

With our highly connected and interdependent world, the growing threat of infectious diseases and public health crisis has shed light on the requirement for global efforts to manage and combat highly pathogenic infectious diseases and other public health crisis on an unprecedented level. Such disease threats transcend borders. Reducing global threats posed by infectious disease outbreaks – whether naturally caused or resulting from a deliberate or accidental release – requires efforts that cross the disaster management pillars: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. This book addresses the issues of global health security along 4 themes: Emerging Threats; Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery; Exploring the Technology Landscape for Solutions; Leadership and Partnership. The authors of this volume highlight many of the challenges that confront our global security environment today. These range from politically induced disasters, to food insecurity, to zoonosis and terrorism. More optimistically, the authors also present some advances in technology that can help us combat these threats. Understanding the challenges that confront us and the tools we have to overcome them will allow us to face our future with confidence.