FAQ: What types of technology do I need to control?
In preparation for the Sixth BTWC Review Conference, the Conference Secretariat issued a document (BWC/CONF.VI/INF.4 - http://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G06/643/31/pdf/G0664331.pdf) that describes in detail scientific and technological developments relevant to the Convention. Without specifying all details here, the document addressed biotechnology, genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and computational biology, systems biology, drug discovery, design and delivery, synthetic biology and biological engineering, and other relevant technologies including nanotechnology, gene therapy, detection technology and biological pest control.
Controls in these areas of research and their technology usually relate to specific biological agents and toxins, equipment and technologies as contained in control lists. States also apply more generic control measures to biological agents and toxins not listed in control lists, and require reviews similar to licensing procedures if there is information or suspicion that these items could be intended for hostile purposes.