Flu Review Criticized

A member of the NSABB biosecurity board that recently reviewed H5N1 data criticizes the process.

| 2 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
2:00
Share

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of Avian influenza A H5N1 viruses (seen in gold) grown in MDCK cells (seen in green).WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, CDC

The process leading to the US biosecurity board recommending full publication of two controversial H5N1 flu papers has been criticized by a board member in a letter sent to the National Institutes of Health last week (April 12). Influenza epidemiologist Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, outlined his criticisms to Amy Patterson, associate director for science policy at the NIH, reported Nature.

The US National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) had previously recommended that the two controversial H5N1 papers, which detailed mutations that allow for ferret-to-ferret aerosol transmission, be published in redacted form, a recommendation that was rescinded at last month’s meeting. Osterholm himself voted for publication of one paper, but was concerned that modifications to the second paper did not ...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here

Keywords

Meet the Author

  • Sabrina Richards

    This person does not yet have a bio.
Share
3D illustration of a gold lipid nanoparticle with pink nucleic acid inside of it. Purple and teal spikes stick out from the lipid bilayer representing polyethylene glycol.
February 2025, Issue 1

A Nanoparticle Delivery System for Gene Therapy

A reimagined lipid vehicle for nucleic acids could overcome the limitations of current vectors.

View this Issue
Considerations for Cell-Based Assays in Immuno-Oncology Research

Considerations for Cell-Based Assays in Immuno-Oncology Research

Lonza
An illustration of animal and tree silhouettes.

From Water Bears to Grizzly Bears: Unusual Animal Models

Taconic Biosciences
Sex Differences in Neurological Research

Sex Differences in Neurological Research

bit.bio logo
New Frontiers in Vaccine Development

New Frontiers in Vaccine Development

Sino

Products

Tecan Logo

Tecan introduces Veya: bringing digital, scalable automation to labs worldwide

Explore a Concise Guide to Optimizing Viral Transduction

A Visual Guide to Lentiviral Gene Delivery

Takara Bio
Inventia Life Science

Inventia Life Science Launches RASTRUM™ Allegro to Revolutionize High-Throughput 3D Cell Culture for Drug Discovery and Disease Research

An illustration of differently shaped viruses.

Detecting Novel Viruses Using a Comprehensive Enrichment Panel

Twist Bio