Better Never Than Late

摘要

Last week, this space contained an editorial by Phillip Sharp, dealing with the difficult problems raised by the publication of information about certain "dual-use" technologies. The term arises because papers dealing with modified human pathogens that are also "select agents" might yield great public health benefits but also could be used by terrorists against that same public. A U.S. National Academies committee chaired by Gerald Fink recommended in a 2003 report that a National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) be established. As Sharp's editorial reported, that body was consulted with regard to Science's publication of the paper by Tumpey et al. on the reconstruction of the 1918 Spanish influenza virus. It voted unanimously in favor of publication.