Although the statement on whether to publish two studies of H5N1 bird flu controversy appears to be declining, researchers must continue conform to a voluntary moratorium on certain types of studies of the virus, a senior US science official said today.
There should be "an extension of the moratorium", originally scheduled to expire on March 20, Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), told a US Senate panel aujourd 'hui. "The question is for how long."
The comments came at a hearing held by the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs in the risk posed by search "dual-use" which carries both benefits and risks. The hearing was motivated in large part by the H5N1 controversy, said Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), the chairman of the committee. "Although this question seems to have been resolved, it will reappear and we can not simply" kick this can down the road "and to deal with it on an ad hoc basis when this happens again."
Four witnesses, including Fauci, discussed the process that led to a decision by the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) to support the publication of two documents, and new government rules US designed to identify taxpayer-funded research concern dual-use before it starts. They also responded to criticism of the process NSABB by one of the panel members, Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, in a letter first obtained by Science Insider.
Look for more details on the future of hearing Science Insider.
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