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Perspectives on Research with H5N1 Avian Influenza Scientific Inquiry, Communication, Controversy: Summary of a Workshop (2013) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
Pages 1-4

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From page 1...
... Using well-known techniques, the groups had selected for influenza strains highly transmissible between ferrets, identified and sequenced the strains' genetic mutations, inserted the mutated genes into a new virus, and, by observing the behavior of the newly constructed viruses, demonstrated a causal link between the mutated genes and degree of transmissibility ­ between mammals. The research projects were led by Ron Fouchier at Erasmus Medical ­ ­ Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Yoshihiro Kawaoka at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
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From page 2...
... Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Biotechnology Activities, which convenes and manages the NSABB, released a new policy for the oversight of life sciences dual-use research of concern.2 On March 29-30, 2012, the NSABB reconsidered the manuscripts, and in light of additional risk/benefit information, voted, a ­lthough not unanimously, in favor of the publication of both revised p ­ apers in full. The response of both the scientific community and the public to F ­ ouchier and Kawaoka's research illuminates the unsettled landscape of the current national and international governance and regulation of scientific research that could, either advertently or inadvertently, result in great harm.3 Traditionally, the scientific community has had a strong culture of openness, and when high risk research has warranted restrictions, those restrictions have taken the form of security classification mechanisms or the regulation of certain toxic or pathogenic microorganisms and substances.
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From page 3...
... DUAL-USE RESEARCH In general, dual-use research is defined as research undertaken to generate information that may be used to protect national security or public health but which, if misused, may cause harm. Dual-use research concerns effectively emerged in the mid-20th century, particularly in the context of wartime nuclear research and concurrent advances in biological knowledge
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From page 4...
... Proposals to limit access to scientific research forcefully encounter deeply held values in scientific communities around norms of openness, access, and transparency. As scientific knowledge and technologies move forward and as fears have grown that these technologies could be used for harm, society must continually assess both the benefits of research of concern and how best to regulate it.
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Key Terms

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  • influenza viruses
  • research illuminates
  • influenza experts
  • scientific communities
  • scientific enterprise

  • protect national
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  • tific research
  • nuclear research
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  • highly pathogenic
  • influenza strains


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