Financial Times analysis examines efforts to address dual risk research

Apr 12 2012

A Financial Times analysis examines how the international community is working "to ensure scientific work can proceed without falling prey to accidental leaks or malevolent intent," following controversy surrounding two studies on the H5N1 bird flu virus. The article states that "while much discussion has focused on the 'virtual' leakage of such studies through the very fact of publication, allowing the unscrupulous to read and replicate the work, another important risk has received far less attention: the accidental 'physical' leakage from the growing number of laboratories en­gaged in such work around the world." The article describes several accidental leaks and how governments and international bodies are working to balance risk and regulation (Jack, 4/10).