Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: Nature, full text: (LINK).]
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Mutant flu: assessing biosecurity risks
Johannes Rath
Journal name: Nature
Volume: 482, Page: 470
Date published: (23 February 2012)
DOI: doi:10.1038/482470b
Published online 22 February 2012
In the ongoing controversy over the mutant H5N1 avian influenza research (Nature 481, 9?10, 2012), we should be wary of reducing biosecurity measures merely to assigning access rights to sensitive information and materials. A national security body made up of military and law-enforcement officials that puts confidentiality stamps on dual-use research is not in the long-term interest of scientific progress. Biosecurity in research needs to be integrated into a more comprehensive strategy if it is to be effective and avoid harming public-health interests.
-Journal name: Nature
Volume: 482, Page: 470
Date published: (23 February 2012)
DOI: doi:10.1038/482470b
Published online 22 February 2012
In the ongoing controversy over the mutant H5N1 avian influenza research (Nature 481, 9?10, 2012), we should be wary of reducing biosecurity measures merely to assigning access rights to sensitive information and materials. A national security body made up of military and law-enforcement officials that puts confidentiality stamps on dual-use research is not in the long-term interest of scientific progress. Biosecurity in research needs to be integrated into a more comprehensive strategy if it is to be effective and avoid harming public-health interests.
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