Mammalian-Transmissible H5N1 Influenza: the Dilemma of Dual-Use Research

ABSTRACT The National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB)’s recommendation to restrict publication of the details of the generation of mammalian-transmissible H5N1 influenza virus is unprecedented. Dual-use considerations indicated that the potential biosecurity risks of a transmissible H...

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Autor principal:	Robert G. Webster
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	American Society for Microbiology 2012
Materias:	Microbiology QR1-502
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/acb467a8f908462f9713eac309893238
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:acb467a8f908462f9713eac3098932382021-11-15T15:39:03ZMammalian-Transmissible H5N1 Influenza: the Dilemma of Dual-Use Research10.1128/mBio.00005-122150-7511https://doaj.org/article/acb467a8f908462f9713eac3098932382012-03-01T00:00:00Zhttps://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mBio.00005-12https://doaj.org/toc/2150-7511ABSTRACT The National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB)’s recommendation to restrict publication of the details of the generation of mammalian-transmissible H5N1 influenza virus is unprecedented. Dual-use considerations indicated that the potential biosecurity risks of a transmissible H5N1 virus with a possible mortality of 50% in humans outweigh the substantial benefits of open and complete scientific exchange in this case, although the benefits include potential early detection strategies for H5N1 viruses with specific genetic markers and control strategies, including development of antivirals and vaccines. It is argued that both the funding agency (the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) and the scientists were responding to societal needs and acted entirely responsibly. These studies usher in a new era for life sciences, compelling the research community to confront important decisions: under what conditions should such research be done? How can the principle of full release of information be balanced with the moral imperative to protect the public health?Robert G. WebsterAmerican Society for MicrobiologyarticleMicrobiologyQR1-502ENmBio, Vol 3, Iss 1 (2012)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Microbiology QR1-502
spellingShingle	Microbiology QR1-502 Robert G. Webster Mammalian-Transmissible H5N1 Influenza: the Dilemma of Dual-Use Research
description	ABSTRACT The National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB)’s recommendation to restrict publication of the details of the generation of mammalian-transmissible H5N1 influenza virus is unprecedented. Dual-use considerations indicated that the potential biosecurity risks of a transmissible H5N1 virus with a possible mortality of 50% in humans outweigh the substantial benefits of open and complete scientific exchange in this case, although the benefits include potential early detection strategies for H5N1 viruses with specific genetic markers and control strategies, including development of antivirals and vaccines. It is argued that both the funding agency (the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) and the scientists were responding to societal needs and acted entirely responsibly. These studies usher in a new era for life sciences, compelling the research community to confront important decisions: under what conditions should such research be done? How can the principle of full release of information be balanced with the moral imperative to protect the public health?
format	article
author	Robert G. Webster
author_facet	Robert G. Webster
author_sort	Robert G. Webster
title	Mammalian-Transmissible H5N1 Influenza: the Dilemma of Dual-Use Research
title_short	Mammalian-Transmissible H5N1 Influenza: the Dilemma of Dual-Use Research
title_full	Mammalian-Transmissible H5N1 Influenza: the Dilemma of Dual-Use Research
title_fullStr	Mammalian-Transmissible H5N1 Influenza: the Dilemma of Dual-Use Research
title_full_unstemmed	Mammalian-Transmissible H5N1 Influenza: the Dilemma of Dual-Use Research
title_sort	mammalian-transmissible h5n1 influenza: the dilemma of dual-use research
publisher	American Society for Microbiology
publishDate	2012
url	https://doaj.org/article/acb467a8f908462f9713eac309893238
work_keys_str_mv	AT robertgwebster mammaliantransmissibleh5n1influenzathedilemmaofdualuseresearch
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Mammalian-Transmissible H5N1 Influenza: the Dilemma of Dual-Use Research

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