"US Biosecurity Board Revises Stance on Mutant-Flu Studies"

"The US National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) today recommended the publication of two controversial avian flu papers."



"In December 2011, the board said that experimental details of the two studies should be redacted from any publications because of concerns that the information could be used in a bioterror attack. The board also feared that publishing the details would prompt more laboratories to work on the viruses, making an accidental release more likely.

Today, after a two-day meeting, the board decided to revise its earlier decision. The NSABB unanimously recommended full publication of one of the two disputed papers, a manuscript submitted to Nature by Yoshihiro Kawaoka of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and his colleagues. “We at Nature are delighted,” said editor-in-chief Philip Campbell. “Subject to any outstanding regulatory or legal issues, we intend to proceed with publication as soon as possible.”  "

Delcan Butler and Heidi Ledford report for Nature News March 30, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"Federal Board OKs Bird Flu Studies" (National Journal)

"Panel Says Flu Research Is Safe to Publish" (New York Times)

Source: Nature, 04/02/2012