China embarks on ambitious bioterror protection program

The Chinese authorities say they would embark on a project to to establish a biological security system in twenty years to fight against bioterrorism and prevent serious epidemic diseases, according to a report released by the Ministry of Science and Technology(MOST) on Tuesday. The report, issued at the International Biological Economy meeting held in Tianjin, said that by the end of 2007 China will develop vaccines and medicines for genes used in bioterrorism and the physical protective technology and equipment, and establish a monitoring network over bio-terrorism. A research center to examine and prevent serious epidemic diseases will also be established, according to the report. The same report also says that the country will further develop the security evaluation technology of genetically modified plants.

The meeting, which was also attended by representatives of the UN Development Program, attracted 262 biological experts from China and abroad.