Bioterrorism and Dual-Use Research of Concern

A sound grounding in ethics alone can prevent the use of research involving dangerous microbes with infective capability to damage or destroy crops, livestock, and human beings, from being used for malevolent purposes. International efforts such as the Biological Weapons Convention of 1972, as well as national laws, for example, the USA PATRIOT Act in the United States, ban the production, development, and stockpiling of dangerous microorganisms and toxins that could be used in terror attacks. Biosecurity measures require background checks on scientific personnel handling select agents and oversight in facilities handling or transferring these agents. Development of biodefense strategies in order to control the effects and protect soldiers and civilians from biothreats is essential. This, however, leads to a problem of Dual-Use Research (DUR), since information on pathogenesis necessary for finding means of controlling infection, could simplistically, be misused in the hands of a terrorist. Mandatory laboratory best practices and educating graduate students and science personnel on ethics could possibly prevent malevolent use of DUR.