¥ Thursday May 21, 1992 Published by Author: Umnov, V. Title: GENETIC-ENGINEERING PROJECT FOR OBTAINING BACTERIOLOGICAL WEAPONS RECALLED Primary Source: Komsomolskaya pravda, April 30, 1992, No. 80 (20380), p. 1, cols. 2-8 Abstract: The article reports on results of an investigation of secret bacteriologi- cal-warfare research in the former USSR. The author relates that this inves- tigation was begun in response to letters from Komsomolskaya pravda readers concern- ing a bacteriological test facility on Voz- rozhdeniye Island in the Aral Sea.* It was alleged in particular that experiments on animals had been conducted here without proper immunization of personnel, in facil- ities which were closed to the public. Military authorities refused to answer re- quests for information in this connection or to allow journalists to visit the test facility. Such information as is available indicates that the Aral Sea facility has now been practically deactivated. It is recalled that institutes engaged in bacteriological-weapons research ap- peared in the Ministry of Defense at a com- paratively early date. During the 1970s, a special system was created with a view to catching up with the West in genetic-engi- neering research aimed at obtaining altered forms of bacteria and viruses. This system remained in operation despite Soviet rati- fication, in 1975, of an international con- vention banning bacteriological weapons. Projects which were essentially military began under the auspices of the USSR Coun- cil of Ministers! Main Administration for the Microbiology Industry. A bacteriology center was opened in the Moscow suburb of Obolensk, and a virology center was created in Koltsovo, near Novosibirsk. A biologi- cal-instrument building institute and an institute for designing machinery for bio- chemistry were created in Moscow, and an Approved For Release 2000/08/09 . Title: e 2000/08/09 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000600120002-7 Daily Soviet News Abstracts Publication FOREIGN AEROSPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER institute for extra-pure preparations ap- peared in Leningrad. Experimental in- dustrial facilities were opened. Whole schools were respecialized at the Moscow Higher Technical School imeni Bauman, Mos- cow State University, Medical Institute No. 2 and other higher schoois in Moscow. Spe- cialists sought by genetic-engineering methods to obtain new microorganisms with prescribed properties, for specific cli- ents. This was not accomplished because scientists involved in military projects lacked sufficient knowledge of the nature of these properties. On the other hand, directions of research which were pursued on the side could .now become main direc- tions in virology, vaccination and diagno- sis, it is claimed. A method of obtaining interferon was learned at the center in Koltsovo, for example. Specialists reportedly have the task of utilizing potential in the field of mi- crobiology which has been developed as a result of defense research. The author mentions in conclusion that a Committee on Conventional Problems of Chemical and Bio- logical Weapons was created under the Pres- ident of Russia in February. *See also the Daily SNAP, May 6, 1992, p. 3, col. l (SNAP 920521) * * * * RUSSIAN LAW ON CONVERSION STIPU- LATES LIMITATIONS ON TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER Primary Source: Exkonomika t zhizn, May 1992, No. 18 (8399), p. 20, cols. 1-5 Abstract: The texts of a law of the Rus- sian Federation “On Conversion of Defense Industry in the Russian Federation" and of a resolution of the Russian Federation Su- preme Soviet on procedure for putting this law into effect are published. The law and : CIA-RDP96-00792R0006001 20002-7