White HouseWIKIMEDIA COMMONS, SUSAN STERNER
Last month (March 1), Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) wrote to White House science adviser John Holdren asking about current policies on "dual-use research of concern" (DURC), or research that holds both good and potentially malicious implications. In his letter, Sensenbrenner said the government’s treatment of the ongoing H5N1 debacle "appeared ad hoc, delayed, and inadequate," ScienceInsider reported.
Last week (April 9), Holdren responded to Sensenbrenner’s concerns, stating that "the circumstances surrounding the recent review of H5N1 manuscripts are unprecedented." Indeed, while a US biosecurity board last week recommended the full publication of both manuscripts, its decision in December that certain details should be redacted was the first time a government advisory committee had ever made such a recommendation. In response to the continued discussions, the ...
