A Matter of Health
Taking a breather
By Ruth SoRelle, M.P.H.
On Jan. 20, 2012, two of the world's leading science journals, Science and Nature, co-published a letter from leading influenza researchers announcing a 60-day moratorium on research involving new laboratory-developed avian influenza viruses. National security experts are concerned that bioterrorists could use the information to develop forms of the virus (H5N1) that could be easily transmitted to humans through the air. Others are concerned that the viruses, which have been modified to be easily transmitted in an aerosolized fashion between ferrets, might escape the lab and pose a threat to humanity.
During the past decade, finding ways to block the spread of the ever-mutating forms of influenza virus has been among the hottest fields of research. Advances in the laboratory and the brainpower of the scientists involved enabled the fast-track development of the H1N1 vaccine a few years ago, forestalling what could have been a devastating pandemic. Looming on the horizon, however, has been this H5N1 virus, unlike any that has been involved in human epidemics in the past. Right now, it has only passed from bird to human. If it could be passed through a cough or a sneeze, the threat is real. It could be as deadly as the 1918 flu that killed millions around the globe.
International effort
It is not surprising that some of the world's top influenza laboratories have been trying to understand the virus and what would make it transmissible in an aerosolized fashion. Recently, two laboratories announced that they had done just that in ferrets. That alarmed security experts and on Dec. 20, 201, the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity recommended that the details of how they had achieved that transmission be kept out of any scientific publications about the research. That sparked a furor. On one hand, some scientists were alarmed by the threat of censorship. On the other, some said the data should not be published at all.
That is why some of the world’s leading influenza researchers, including Baylor College of Medicine’s Dr. Robert Couch, have signed the letter in Science and Nature, calling for the moratorium and the chance to stop and think. Even the researchers involved in the ferret studies have signed that letter.
New era, new decisions
This is not the first time science has taken time to think. In 1975, the scientific community came together at the Asilomar Conference to discuss the risks and benefits of genetic engineering. That led to recommendations about how to pursue such work safely and with oversight.
Perhaps this letter will lead to a similar conference. There, the risks and benefits of such work can be considered and the way forward proposed.
It is worthwhile to ponder the prospects of such work and how to pursue it safely. However, it must be continued in some way. The fate of the world could hang in the balance.
