When does scientific research cause more harm than good? That question has been at the heart of controversy over what should be published about avian flu.
A new study by virologist Ron Fouchier and researchers from Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands explores the ability of the H5N1 bird flu strain to become airborne transmissible between mammals. The researchers describe their work, published Thursday in the journal Cell, as providing key insights into how the bird flu virus might spread and, by extension, helping to prevent a possible pandemic.
But the research has been controversial. David Relman, professor of medicine, microbiology, and immunology at Stanford University in California, says such work could also provide insights into how to build a biological weapon. He says it is “irresponsible,” entails “greater risk and fewer benefits” than presented, and could give someone “well-versed in reverse genetics” the ability to manufacture the deadliest version of the virus.
Related on the SLP
Read the full, original story: New Gene Map of Deadly Bird Flu Points to Pandemic Concerns
