reaction to experts

Perspectives:

Michael T. Osterholm and David A. Relman

    Creating a Mammalian-Transmissible A/H5N1 Influenza Virus: Social Contracts, Prudence, and Alternative Perspectives

Journal of Infectious Diseases  (2012) 205 (11): 1636-1638

In this article, Osterholm underscores the need for oversight of biologists involved in dual-use research projects.  Duel-use research is research that can be both beneficial and detrimental to society.  Michael T. Osterholm is director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP). He has degrees in   Biology and in Environmental Health.  Osterholm is outspoken about the need for greater safeguards against pandemic diseases.

Though the article focuses on the dangers of a mutated form of bird flu, it addresses the dangers of any virus being accidentally or intentionally released into the public.  I think that Osterholm's conclusions are valid.  The potential risk posed by insufficient oversight are to great to allow dangerous experiments to be conducted by private citizens.  The mutation of the bird flu virus to be transmitted as an aerosol could prove to be invaluable to research, but dangerous if the methodology is published publicly.

 I think the most important part of the article deals with the authors understanding of biology's current state in history.  We are at a crossroads where the technology needed to conduct experiments with deadly pathogens is becoming available to anyone with an interest.  Osterholm understands that although current policies work for the current environment, we need policies that look forward to the potential problems of tomorrow.  The article does not seek to prohibit research, just make it safer.