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CourseDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Applications open

Course in Ethics of Dual-Use Biotechnology

Online 300-hour course in ethics of dual-use biotechnology. 6 modules covering the Biological Weapons Convention (1972), the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000) and Benchling. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Explain the concept of dual use as applied to biotechnology.

02

Apply the international and European regulatory framework.

03

Distinguish between biosafety and biosecurity.

04

Design governance mechanisms for biotechnology research.

05

Analyse the relationship between biotechnology and defence from an ethical perspective.

06

Evaluate emerging technologies such as gene editing.

07

Prepare a dual-use assessment of a project.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Biosafety officer in biotechnology wishing to specialise in Ethics of Dual-Use Biotechnology.
  • Export control technician wishing to specialise in Ethics of Dual-Use Biotechnology.
  • Biotechnology researcher wishing to specialise in Ethics of Dual-Use Biotechnology.
  • Bioethics adviser wishing to specialise in Ethics of Dual-Use Biotechnology.
  • Biotechnology innovation manager wishing to specialise in Ethics of Dual-Use Biotechnology.
  • Biological non-proliferation analyst wishing to specialise in Ethics of Dual-Use Biotechnology.
  • Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter biotechnology.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Biological Weapons Convention (1972)
  • Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000)
  • Directive 2009/41/EC (contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms)
  • Law 9/2003 on genetically modified organisms
  • Australia Group (control lists)
  • Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (dual use)
  • Oviedo Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (1997)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Concept of research of concern with dual use (DURC)
  2. 1.2The 2004 Fink Report and the seven experiments
  3. 1.3Genome editing: CRISPR-Cas9
  4. 1.4Synthetic biology and DNA synthesis
  5. 1.5Gain-of-function experiments
  6. 1.6The H5N1 controversy in 2011–2012
  7. 1.7Synthesis of the horsepox virus in 2017
  8. 1.8Scientific freedom and risk
  9. 1.9Bioethics: principles and application
  10. 1.10Case study: debate on publishing H5N1 studies
  1. 2.1Biological Weapons Convention
  2. 2.2Security Council Resolution 1540
  3. 2.3Regulation (EU) 2021/821 and biological agents
  4. 2.4Australia Group
  5. 2.5Royal Decree 664/1997 on biological agents
  6. 2.6Directive 2009/41/EC on modified micro-organisms
  7. 2.7Cartagena Protocol on biosafety
  8. 2.8Nagoya Protocol
  9. 2.9WHO framework on responsible life sciences
  10. 2.10Practice: classifying a project under the DURC framework
  1. 3.1Difference between biosafety and biosecurity
  2. 3.2Containment levels BSL-1 to BSL-4
  3. 3.3ISO 35001 on biorisk management
  4. 3.4WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual
  5. 3.5Documented laboratory leaks
  6. 3.6Inventory and access control
  7. 3.7Staff reliability
  8. 3.8Safety culture
  9. 3.9Incident response
  10. 3.10Workshop: biosecurity plan for a laboratory
  1. 4.1Institutional biosafety committees
  2. 4.22024 US policy on DURC and PEPP
  3. 4.3Screening of DNA synthesis orders
  4. 4.4Editorial review of publications
  5. 4.5Funders and requirements
  6. 4.6Scientific self-governance: Asilomar
  7. 4.7Garage biology and the DIY community
  8. 4.8Artificial intelligence and biological risk
  9. 4.9Individual responsibility of the researcher
  10. 4.10Case study: review of a gain-of-function project
  1. 5.1Biodefence and protection programmes
  2. 5.2Vaccines and medical countermeasures
  3. 5.3Transparency of biodefence programmes
  4. 5.4BWC confidence-building measures
  5. 5.5Allegations and disinformation
  6. 5.6Equitable access to countermeasures
  7. 5.7Biosurveillance and global health
  8. 5.8One Health
  9. 5.9Military bioethics
  10. 5.10Workshop: code of conduct for biotechnology researchers
  1. 6.1Description of the research project
  2. 6.2Identification of misuse risks
  3. 6.3Analysis of the regulatory framework
  4. 6.4Biosafety assessment
  5. 6.5Benefit and risk analysis
  6. 6.6Proposal of mitigation measures
  7. 6.7Results communication plan
  8. 6.8Committee review
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Benchling, advanced Excel, NVivo, Zotero, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies are based on real procedures: dual-use assessments of biotechnology projects, classification of technologies for export, and research governance workshops. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus a final integrating project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-driven thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry mentoring:lecturers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, cyber-OT, IHL and compliance as its pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Description of the research project

Explain the concept of dual use as applied to biotechnology.

Identification of misuse risks

Apply the international and European regulatory framework.

Analysis of the regulatory framework

Distinguish between biosafety and biosecurity.

Biosafety assessment

Design governance mechanisms for biotechnology research.

Benefit and risk analysis

Analyse the relationship between biotechnology and defence from an ethical perspective.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Biosafety officer in biotechnologyExport control technicianBiotechnology researcherBioethics adviserBiotechnology innovation managerBiological non-proliferation analyst
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior degree is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme’s software.
  • Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.

You will work with Benchling, advanced Excel, NVivo and Zotero. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

An own diploma from SEIUM Institute upon passing the continuous assessment and the final integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Please consult the recognition policy when you enrol.

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