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Dual Use Research of Concern in the Life Sciences Current Issues and Controversies (2017) / Chapter Skim
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4 Committee Findings
Pages 73-78

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From page 73...
... Scientific information is disseminated through a wide range of means including education, training, presentations and posters at conferences, preprint servers, informal communications, patents, and formal publication. The prevalence of digital information and online transmission and storage of information related to dual use research also makes information increasingly vulnerable to hacking.
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From page 74...
... 5. Federal policies on DURC reach only a portion of the individuals conducting life sciences research.
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From page 75...
... 7. The current policy focus and definition of DURC do not capture biosecurity concerns in all relevant areas of life sciences research, especially those that are emerging (e.g., synthetic and systems biology, computational modeling, genome editing, gene drives, neuroscience, the isolation of new micro-organisms and toxins)
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From page 76...
... There is no systematic process through which journal editors and researchers outside federally funded institutions can seek guidance from U.S. government experts on the management of manuscripts or on research activities that raise potential biosecurity concerns.
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From page 77...
... Expanding these programs beyond a focus solely on specific pathogens could increase the ability of the broader research community to take greater respon sibility for safeguarding dangerous information in ways that do not impede scientific advances.
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From page 78...
... CONCLUSION Despite decades of effort, there is little national or international consensus with regard to appropriate policies for addressing issues associated with the conduct and dissemination of life sciences research that might qualify as DURC. The absence of an international commitment to addressing such issues; the lack of agreement regarding a framework for assessing risk, uncertainty, and benefit; and the difficulties the U.S.
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