OPINION
Controversial avian flu research must not be put in the dark
By Anurag Mandalika and Madison Property Management | Feb. 14, 2012Two recent studies concerning the discovery of mutated H5N1 virus strains, commonly known as avian flu, which are capable of transmission among mammals have generated a huge debate over the regulation and dissemination of scientific knowledge. Many scientist seem to b divided over whether the studies should be published since the virus strains could be used for bioterrorism. The papers in question, from the lab of Ron Fouchier at the Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands and by Yoshihiro Kawaoka at UW-Madison-submitted to "Science" and "Nature," respectively-await judgment from the scientific community, particularly from the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity.
