Building and implementing a multi-level system of ethical code for biologists under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) of the United Nations.

The recent global COVID-19 pandemic has had profound economic and social impacts on the world. It has highlighted an urgent need to strengthen existing international biosecurity governance mechanisms to prevent the misuse and malicious abuse of life science research and maintain international biological arms control norms. Biologists are at the front line of biotechnology development and are key to maintaining biosecurity awareness and moral self-discipline. As an important first step, biologists need to actively participate in the formulation and implementation of relevant biosecurity policies and measures to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability. Furthermore, efforts should be made to advocate for and promote the establishment of an ethical code of conduct for biologists to share safety responsibilities for global biosecurity. To maximize the impact of this ethical code of conduct, an effective approach to implementing codes of conduct for biologists at both national and international levels should be established under the framework of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC).

[Use of self-tests and rapid diagnostic tests: Survey of dispensing pharmacists in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region]. / Utilisation des TROD et autotests : enquête auprès des pharmaciens officinaux de la région Auvergne­Rhône-Alpes.

OBJECTIVES: RDT and self-tests are sold in pharmacies. These are medical biology procedures that are currently reserved for biologists. Nevertheless, their use is now being reinforced by the COVID-19 pandemic. What role should the dispensing pharmacist have in relation to the patient? What role can the biologist have in this system? METHODS: A survey was carried out in pharmacies in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, as well as in Cameroon during the summer of 2020, to evaluate the use of RDT and self-tests. The answers obtained to the 10 questions were discussed after a simple statistical analysis. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-three pharmacies and 13 Cameroonian pharmacies participated in our survey. Pharmacists want to develop the use of RDT and self-test, but agree that training is necessary. Some tests are dispensed despite their unproven clinical usefulness. CONCLUSIONS: The delivery of TRODs and self-tests is acquired in pharmacies despite the reluctance of biologists. Pharmacists should be trained by biologists to use these tests in a relevant and appropriate manner.