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

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...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor principal: Webster, Robert G.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: American Society of Microbiology 2012
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3268662/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22294676
http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00005-12
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author Webster, Robert G.
author_facet Webster, Robert G.
author_sort Webster, Robert G.
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description 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?
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spelling pubmed-32686622012-01-31 Mammalian-Transmissible H5N1 Influenza: the Dilemma of Dual-Use Research Webster, Robert G. mBio Commentary 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? American Society of Microbiology 2012-01-31 /pmc/articles/PMC3268662/ /pubmed/22294676 http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00005-12 Text en Copyright © 2012 Webster. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/) , which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
spellingShingle Commentary
Webster, Robert G.
Mammalian-Transmissible H5N1 Influenza: the Dilemma of Dual-Use Research
title 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_short Mammalian-Transmissible H5N1 Influenza: the Dilemma of Dual-Use Research
title_sort mammalian-transmissible h5n1 influenza: the dilemma of dual-use research
topic Commentary
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3268662/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22294676
http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00005-12
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