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NSABB Statement, mBio Commentaries & A `Dual Use’ Webinar

 

 

# 6112

 

 

About an hour ago a 3-page PDF statement from the NSABB appeared on Science/ AAAS.org’s Public Health, Biosecurity, and H5N1 Forum, providing that committee's rationale for requesting the redaction from science journals of key portions of recent controversial `dual use’  H5N1 research.

 

30 JANUARY 2012 | POLICY FORUM

Adaptations of Avian Flu Virus Are a Cause for Concern

K. I. Berns et al.

Members of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity explain its recommendations on the communication of experimental work on H5N1 influenza.

 

Meanwhile, mBio has published four views on all of this from Paul S. Keim, Vincent R. Racaniello, Robert G. Webster, and Arturo Casadevall & Thomas Shenk.

 

I’m headed there now to read:

 

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

Robert G. Webster doi:10.1128/mBio.00005-12

 

Science Should Be in the Public Domain

Vincent R. Racaniello  doi:10.1128/mBio.00004-12

 

The NSABB Recommendations: Rationale, Impact, and Implications

 

Paul S. Keim  doi:10.1128/mBio.00021-12

 

The H5N1 Manuscript Redaction Controversy

Arturo Casadevall and Thomas Shenk doi:10.1128/mBio.00022-12

 

 

And on Thursday night, many of the major players in the world of influenza virology and biosecurity will convene for a 2 hour panel discussion, to be webcast by the New York Academy of Sciences (this appears to be a Pay-per-view event for non-members).

 

Here is the Press Release from the New York Academy of Sciences

 

Dual use research: H5N1 influenza virus and beyond

Experts to discuss controversial studies on avian flu virus at live event

WHAT: Dual Use Research: H5N1 Influenza Virus and Beyond

WHEN: Feb. 2, 6pm to 8pm

WHERE: The New York Academy of Sciences

REGISTER: www.nyas.org/H5N1

The US National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) recently recommended that journals Nature and Science remove certain methodological details from controversial studies on the avian influenza virus (H5N1) to minimize the risk of these findings being misused by would-be bioterrorists. On February 2 from 6pm to 8pm, the Emerging Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Discussion Group of the New York Academy of Sciences presents Dual Use Research: H5N1 Influenza Virus and Beyond, a discussion between scientists, publishers, and legal experts that will explore the myriad issues surrounding the impending publication of these two studies and measures that will need to be undertaken to ensure the security of future such research.

 

To weigh in on matters of censorship and public safety, W. Ian Lipkin, MD, Center for Infection & Immunity at Columbia University, will moderate a panel discussion with Arturo Casadevall, MD, PhD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and member, NSABB; Laurie Garrett, PhD, Council on Foreign Relations; Barbara R. Jasny, PhD, Science; Veronique Kiermer, PhD, Nature Publishing Group; Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH, Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota, and member, NSABB; Peter Palese, PhD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Vincent Racaniello, PhD, Columbia University; and Alan S. Ruldolph, PhD, Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

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Attendees must register at www.nyas.org/H5N1. Media must RSVP to Diana Friedman, dfriedman@nyas.org.

Related Post:

H5N1
Controversy

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