The US’ National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) recently announced its support to publish research studies showing how scientists made new easy-to-spread forms of bird flu. According to the board, the studies, now revised, do not reveal details bioterrorists could use.
It is expected that this decision could end a debate that began in December 2011 when the US government asked the scientists not to publicise all the details of their work.
The research, by two scientific teams – one in the Netherlands and the other in Wisconsin – was funded by the US. It was an effort to learn more about the potential threat from bird flu in Asia. The virus so far does not spread easily among people. But the new lab-made viruses spread easily among ferrets, suggesting they would also spread among humans.
Last year, after reviewing earlier versions of the papers, the NSABB expressed concerns that the information could be used by bioterrorists. Scientists worldwide debated the matter. Many argued that full publication would help scientists track dangerous mutations in natural bird flu viruses and test vaccines and treatments.
Recently, the board members met in Washington and announced that they were satisfied with the revised papers. The panel's advice will now go to the US Department of Health and Human Services for a decision.
The board unanimously supported publication of one study, led by Yoshihiro Kawaoka, of the University of Wisconsin. By majority vote it supported publication of the key parts of a second study, from Ron Fouchier, of the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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