Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Chinese Academy of Sciences on biosecurity management risk factors, virus leakage, covid treatment, etc

Writer : Bai Chunli
Publisher : Chinese Academy of Sciences
Source : ScienceNet.cn
 Ref : http://news.sciencenet.cn/htmlnews/2020/4/438693.shtm
Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan
                                 / KUCINTA SETIA



After the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core always put people's lives and health in the first place, insisting on national mobilization, joint defense and joint control, openness and transparency, and started a people's war against the epidemic. General Secretary Xi Jinping personally commanded and deployed personally, and through the hard work of the people across the country, the epidemic prevention and control has achieved important and periodic results. 

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus epidemic highlights that biosecurity issues have become one of the major survival and development threats faced by the whole world and all mankind. 

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out at the time of the review that at the height of protecting people's health, safeguarding national security, and maintaining long-term security of the country, biosecurity should be included in the national security system, and systematic planning of national biosecurity risk prevention and control system construction should comprehensively improve national biosecurity governance ability. This important exposition enriches the theoretical connotation of the overall national security concept and improves the top-level design of the national security system. 

To point out the direction of efforts for comprehensively improving national biosecurity governance capabilities, we at the Chinese Academy of Sciences provide important follow-up.

National biosecurity an important part of national overall security

Biosecurity mainly includes prevention and control of new and sudden infectious diseases, the safety of biological resources and human genetic resources,addressing issues like misuse of biotechnology, alien biological invasion, bioterrorism attacks, laboratory biosecurity lapses, etc.  Biological security directly affects various aspects such as ecological safety, life health safety and economic safety, and is an important part of national security and world security.

China has many biosecurity risk factors and huge challenges. First, the population base is large and the probability of biosecurity risks is high. Especially with the rapid development of urbanization in China, the population is highly concentrated and large-scale intensive flow brings great pressure to the prevention and control of biosecurity risks. Second, there are shortcomings in scientific and technological innovation capabilities in the areas of population health and biosecurity. Some key core technologies, products and equipment that affect biosecurity are subject to human constraints. The third is the rapid development of biological and life technology, which may itself have abuse and ethical risks. The fourth is the risk of resource leakage and loss that may result from irregular biological resource management. Facing these risks and challenges, we need to accelerate the modernization of the national biosecurity governance system and governance capabilities, protect people's lives and health, protect the country's core interests, and maintain social stability and national security.

The shortcomings of the scientific and technological innovation capabilities in the field of biosecurity in China

General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to scientific and technological innovation in the field of biosecurity, and emphasizes that major scientific and technological achievements in the fields of life safety and biosecurity are also important to the country. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in the construction of scientific and technological innovation capabilities in the field of biosecurity in China, but there are still some obvious shortcomings and deficiencies.

The degree of systematization of the distribution of scientific research forces needs to be improved. At present, the scientific research force in the field of biosecurity in China is distributed in the health system, national defense scientific research system, Chinese Academy of Sciences system, university system and enterprises. The synergy between the various systems is not strong.  The degree of integration is not high. There are both weak links and repeated layouts in the innovation chain, and the channels for the conversion of related basic research results to clinical diagnosis and treatment are not smooth, which restricts the technological innovation to major risks. Response speed and coping ability.

The intensity of technology investment needs to be greatly improved. There is a huge gap between China's R & D investment in life and health and the world's powers. The total R & D investment of the three largest pharmaceutical companies in the United States, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Merck, is equivalent to 10% of China's total annual R & D expenditure. The lack of investment in scientific research has made China's research and development capabilities in this field not strong, product quality is not high, and some key drugs and important medical equipment are subject to people's control.

Long-term support mechanisms are needed for tackling key issues in bioecurity technology. Taking the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic as an example, if scientific and technological research is to achieve comprehensive and thorough protection and treatment, it is necessary to investigate the source and proven mechanism of the virus. Virology, studies of infectious diseases, genetics, pharmacology and many other basic disciplines need long-term accumulation and stable support in peacetime, and we must focus on discipline construction, talent training, technical reserve and other aspects to build a long-term scientific and technological research mechanism, otherwise it will cause brain drain and research interruption, and the risk of another epidemic will come another time. 

Strict supervision and correct guidance of scientific research safety risks need to be unified. Research in the field of biological sciences has a high degree of risk.  Improper disposal of biological laboratory wastes and animals, infection and leakage of pathogenic microorganisms occur from time to time. Biotechnology also has risks of misuse and misuse, and violation of bioethics. The highest standards of biosecurity supervision must be achieved. On the other hand, scientific researchers have a natural "risk avoidance" effect, which requires attention to correct guidance and stabilize the talent team while strengthening supervision.

The shortcomings of the scientific and technological infrastructure need to be rectified quickly. Scientific research facilities such as biosafety data centers and biosafety laboratories are the technical foundation for carrying out many life science researches and are also important lines of defense to ensure national biosecurity. At present, China has 81 P3 laboratories that have passed the construction review by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and 2 officially operated P4 laboratories, while 12 institutions in the United States have P4 laboratories and nearly 1,500 P3 laboratories. The gap and shortcomings of China's biosafety data centers and laboratories are more obvious. In addition, the clinical, basic and public health data have not been effectively integrated, and the cooperative sharing mechanism has not been effectively established. This has also affected the rapid development of some of the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic prevention and control technology research.

Improve the scientific and technological research system to ensure biosecurity under the new national system

In view of the shortcomings and deficiencies of China's biosecurity technology innovation system and capabilities, in accordance with the requirements of General Secretary Xi Jinping, guided by the new nationwide system to improve key core technologies, strengthen top-level design, integrate scientific research strength, strengthen the forward-looking layout, and focus on building a scientific and technological research system that supports national biosecurity.

Strengthen the integration of scientific research forces in the field of biosecurity, and improve the ability and level of systematic confrontation. 

National biosecurity, especially major epidemic prevention and control technology, involves virology, infectious diseases, public health management, genetics, pharmacology, psychology, and many other disciplines. It also needs clinical diagnostic data, resources, and platforms to support it. Therefore, to improve the systematic response capability, we must take the national strategic objectives as the traction, accelerate the integration of national key scientific research systems in the fields of life sciences, biotechnology, medicine, health, medical equipment, etc., and deploy a number of national clinical medical research centers and several interdisciplinary, large-scale collaboration, high-strength collaborative innovation basic platform, making it a core supporting force that can stand, bear, and win at critical moments.

Increase investment in research and development in the field of biosecurity and health, and create a new growth pole for research and development. Drawing on the development experience of information technology and information industry, the field of biosecurity and sanitation will be built into China's R & D growth pole in the next stage of development. In the national "Fourteenth Five-Year Plan" and the mid-term and long-term scientific and technological plans, the biosecurity and health sectors are taken as the key support directions, and the state's financial investment is given a certain tilt. Support the cultivation of a number of leading biotechnology, medical and health enterprises with strong original ability and great development potential, and increase investment in social capital. Quickly formulate a master plan for the scientific research infrastructure system for biosafety and public health, and support the construction of scientific research infrastructure such as biosafety laboratories and biological data centers into the "new infrastructure" to support the shortcomings of scientific research infrastructure construction as soon as possible.

Adjust and improve the overall layout of scientific and technological breakthroughs in the field of national biosecurity and health, and make adequate technical reserves. Strengthen strategic planning and forward-looking layout, strengthen basic research in the fields of life sciences and biosecurity and breakthroughs in key core technologies in medical and health, accelerate the improvement of strategic scientific and technological forces and strategic reserve capabilities in the field of epidemic prevention and control and public health, and complement the shortcomings of China's high-end medical equipment. It is important to study risk early warning and biosecurity event monitoring and detection technologies to support immediate and continuous detection of biosecurity risks. Build a standardized platform technology for product discovery, design, manufacturing and testing of emergency medical countermeasures, conduct research on broad-spectrum vaccines and drugs, establish a vaccine development and industrialization system that combines enterprises as the mainstay and combine industry education and research, and establish a national vaccine reserve system .

Strengthen international scientific and technological cooperation in the field of biosecurity and the prevention and control of major epidemics, and enhance the ability of countries to coordinate and respond to global biosecurity risks. Biosecurity risks and major epidemics often have no borders. It is necessary to strengthen international scientific and technological cooperation in the field of biosecurity from the height of building a community of shared future for mankind. Further develop drug and vaccine cooperation and epidemic prevention cooperation to effectively prevent cross-border spread of biosecurity risks and major epidemics. China should actively participate in international scientific organizations, establish a wide range of international scientific and technological cooperation frameworks with international organizations, scientific research institutions and departments, enhance understanding, build consensus, and jointly cope with biosecurity risk challenges.

Give full play to the central role of national strategic scientific and technological forces in the national biosafety scientific and technological research system

The Chinese Academy of Sciences is an important research force in the field of national biosecurity and health. After the SARS epidemic occurred in 2003, the Chinese Academy of Sciences took biosecurity-related disciplines as the key development direction, gave full play to the multidisciplinary interdisciplinary advantages, systematically laid out a research system in the field of biosecurity basic and applied basic research, and established a P4 laboratory as the core The Biosafety Research Network established the Biosecurity Science Centre, and cultivated a team of "multi-arms coordination" and "Big Corps Operations" biosecurity technology research and development capabilities.

After the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia, the Chinese Academy of Sciences promptly launched the "Novel Coronavirus Emergency Prevention and Control" special research project. The majority of scientific researchers used the laboratory as the battlefield, worked hard day and night, and produced a batch of innovation achievements on the front line of epidemic prevention and control. In terms of pathogen identification, virus strains were isolated at the beginning of the outbreak, and the full genome sequence of the virus was obtained as soon as possible. This provided first-hand key evidence for the determination of the outbreak for the novel coronavirus pneumonia, and also undertaken molecular traceability and the task of animal traceability. 

In terms of rapid testing technology research and development, multiple sets of testing products have passed the emergency approval of the State Food and Drug Administration and obtained the EU CE certification, which is widely used in the field of anti-epidemic. In the research and development of innovative drugs, the P4 laboratory is used to cooperate with foreign units to screen effective drugs. The recommended chloroquine phosphate and self-developed stem cell injections are included in the "Three Drugs and Three Programs". Chloroquine phosphate and the "tocilizumab" cytokine storm treatment plan has been included in the diagnosis and treatment plan of the National Health Commission. Pay attention to the integration of Chinese and Western medicine, select a number of Chinese patent medicines with good effect of inhibiting the new coronavirus and carry out clinical trials. 

In the research and development of vaccines and antibodies, actively promote the development of recombinant protein vaccines, adenovirus vector vaccines and inactivated vaccines. 

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies have shown good results in animal model experiments and are expected to be the first antibody drugs to enter clinical trials. The “One Belt One Road” International Scientific Organization Alliance (ANSO) initiated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences has become an important platform to support the global fight against the epidemic. At the request of the Chinese Red Cross, the Chinese Academy of Sciences sent an expert team to Italy, Iran and other countries to promote anti-epidemic scientific and technological achievements such as diagnostic reagents, AI-assisted diagnostic system, and tocilizumab therapy developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences abroad. Relying on the National Bioinformatics Center established by the Institute of Genomics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Novel Coronavirus Information Database has been established to share viral genome sequences and epidemic prevention and control information with the world in a timely manner, providing high-quality basic data for combating scientific research in epidemic situations and Important decision-making basis has become an important platform for international cooperation in epidemic prevention and control.

In order to meet the country's major strategic needs for biosecurity system construction and biosecurity technology support under the new situation, the Chinese Academy of Sciences will strengthen the overall layout and enhance the overall strength of scientific and technological research in the field of biosecurity, and strive to build a national biosecurity governance system and improve governance capabilities. Give full play to the central role of national strategic scientific and technological forces. 

Firstly, take into account the overall layout of national strategic scientific and technological forces in peacetime and rapid response in wartime, and establish a mechanism for coordinated decision-making in biosecurity and a new national scientific and technological research mechanism for epidemic situation. 

Secondly, strengthen the integration of relevant scientific research forces and improve the biosecurity research system with the core of the Biosecurity Science Centre and clinical research hospitals. 

Thirdly, build a national laboratory for biosecurity, highlight the role of Wuhan P4 laboratory in the national biosafety system, and improve the biosecurity laboratory system of our hospitals. 

Fourthly, strengthen disciplines construction and personnel training. Improve the long-term mechanism of basic research capacity building in the field of infectious diseases, and play a foundation and supporting role in the traceability and transmission of pathogens of high incidence and sudden infectious diseases, infection and pathogenic mechanisms, and anti-infection prevention and control methods. 

Fifthly, strengthen the biological resource management system in the field of biosecurity and strengthen the international cooperation in the field of biosecurity, based on "the individual and inclusivity".

The gas magnetic resonance imaging instrument developed by the Institute of Precision Measurement of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the new cell drug "Kesoda" developed by the Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have been used in the evaluation and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis in patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia.

(The writer is the Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Dean of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; originally published in Banner 4th Issue 2020)

StayGate's Notes
COVID-19 (covid, in short) the disease of the pandemic is known officially in the People's Republic of China as novel coronavirus pneumonia.

Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) owns 100 research institutes in mainland China including the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden. WIV is known for its studies on bat coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 and is suspected to be the site of this virus leakage. Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden is known for its discoveries of many unique flora species in the world and for debunking the belief that covid first spread from Wuhan Huanan Seafood Market to other parts of China and the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Academy_of_Sciences

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