Bioscope ‘09

by  Dr. Barbara Price

Ethics

          This month the National Academy Press released the results of a 2007 survey of biologists for their views on "dual use" research, i.e., research and studies that could also have bioterrorist or harmful applications. It found that many of the scientists have done research that also has some "dual use" potential. Many have recognized the dual use aspects even before they reach publication and have said they have been careful about who they talk with about such research. Some have also said they have avoided some collaboration with foreign scientists because of bioterrorism concerns. Many of the scientists have said that they had worked with select agents in the past and were concerned about bioterrorism in the future. However, most did not believe there was an "overwhelming" risk of a bioterrorist attack in the USA, but believed this was more likely to occur outside the USA. Interestingly, the survey responders believed that in the absence of government guidelines or mandatory training in bioethics, the professional societies and universities should work to instill awareness of possible "dual use" and work to develop training for students and researchers to develop a code of conduct to help prevent misuse of life science research.

Bioagent Inventory

           Also this month, the US DoD halted work at USAMRIID to make sure that the inventory of agents is complete and current. In the wake of the 2001 anthrax terrorist letters, USAMRIID began inventories of the many vials of biological agents and toxins that have been used in the laboratories. The number of materials and past poor inventory system required that the lab devote the scientists to document all the vials. As is typical in many research labs, a few vials were saved during experiments as controls, or reference, and then forgotten. In other cases, researchers left and the refrigerators and freezers were not emptied nor their contents fully documented.

           Each laboratory working with select agents must develop procedures that adhere to the specific regulations from in the 2005 Federal Register and forms are available at http://www.selectagents.gov. USAMRIID has been working with these agents since 1943 when Ft. Detrick was acquired for use as a biological weapons research center. If USAMRIID was having trouble keeping up with its inventory and paperwork and had more than 60 years of experience in research with potential biological weapons, one can not help wondering how well the various universities that now have laboratories devoted to select agent research will manage. Academic laboratories have a history of being less stringent in their paperwork and Ft. Detrick's was acknowledged to be more stringent than other laboratories. In 2007, the number of laboratories in the US designated to be BSL4 was 15, but the number of BSL3 laboratories grew to 1350.

For the Professional in Government and Industry with an interest in Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense, Disarmament and Verification; Emergency and Disaster Medical Planning; Industrial Health and Safety; and Environmental Protection