Response Journal 3 The Controversial Study of the Virus H5N1 The virus H5N1 which caused hundreds of cases

of bird flu in human in the last few years has now received renewed publicity after information about a latest research about the transmissibility of a lab-bred H5N1 is released by the end of year 2011. The newly-engineered strain of the virus H5N1, a study let by Fouchier and his team, creates a controversial debate on whether or not the results of the study should be officially published. According the Scientist American Magazine, the study is about the virus transmissibility in mammals and humans. At present, the H5N1 virus can be only transferred to human via direct contact with infected animals, not from human to human. However, the research shows that the H5N1 virus, after mutated many times, can become transmissible, hence a scenario of an influenza pandemic with millions of casualties is quite possible and predictable (1). The result of the study raises the concern not only of the accidental escape of the virus from the lab but also that bio-terrorists can use the researchs results for creating bio-weapons for mass destruction. The sensitive researchs paper is now under review by the U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) for decisions on the publication of the study (2). The controversial study poses an ethical problem for the bio-engineers. On the one hand, their study for genetic function, mutation and transmissibility of this virulent virus is very necessary. A well-informed knowledge of the virus can help scientist communities to plan ahead effective preventive methods and control if such a pandemic occurs. In addition, new clues about this lab-created virus strain and its characteristics

can help producing the suitable vaccines or drug to contain its spread. On the other hand, the scientists may be held responsible for harmful effects their study brings about. They might be blamed for the global pandemic by accidental escape of the deadly virus from the lab, or worse, the misuse of the researchs finding by terrorists for bio-weapons (2). How the studys results of these bio-engineers can be used and applied in practice, either in a beneficial or harmful manner seems beyond the control of the engineers themselves. The lessons learnt from the invention of atomic bombs decades ago are worthy to revisit so as to gain meaningful insights in the decision for this dilemma. The challenge ahead is what to do with the newly-bred virus, and in what details the study should be made to public. Finding a thorough solution requires involvements of different stake holders such as the bio-engineers, health scientists, journalists, and politicians as well. However, in the long-term, it is very important to set up a regulation specifying the types of pathogens to be lab-bred, the measures taken for security in these labs, as well as the confidentiality levels to be observed for such sensitive study such as classified documents. References Harmon K. What Will the Next Influenza Pandemic Look Like?. American Science. September 19, 2011. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=nextinfluenza-pandemic. Accessed Feb 12, 2012 Enserink M. Scientists Brace for Media Storm Around Controversial Flu Studies. Science Insider. November 23, 2011. http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2011/11/scientists-brace-for-mediastorm.html. Accessed Feb 12, 2012.