Bird flu research warning
Tuesday January 3rd, 2012
World health experts have called for caution as scientists step up research into bird flu.
The World Health Organisation warned of "possible risks and misuses" of research into the H5N1 flu virus.
The alarm has been raised because of experiments seeking to identify what might make the virus more infectious to humans.
The bird virus causes occasional human outbreaks - but most victims contract the disease from birds rather than other humans. The WHO says 60 per cent of these victims die.
WHO experts have warned that scientists should be careful of tampering with the virus in laboratories because of the risk of escape.
WHO says it backs research into the viruses, conducted "under appropriate conditions".
A spokesman said: "While it is clear that conducting research to gain such knowledge must continue, it is also clear that certain research, and especially that which can generate more dangerous forms of the virus than those which already exist, has risks.
"Therefore such research should be done only after all important public health risks and benefits have been identified and reviewed, and it is certain that the necessary protections to minimise the potential for negative consequences are in place."
Tags: Flu & Viruses | World Health
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