Bird flu research paused
Monday January 23rd, 2012
Scientists have announced a two months moratorium on bird flu research following concerns about the creation of dangerous strains of the virus.
Some 39 researchers signed a statement in the journals Science and Nature announcing they were stopping work to give international regulators a chance to settle the problems.
The World Health Organisation warned at the beginning of the month of the "possible risks and misuses" of the research.
It warned that some research might generate "more dangerous forms" of virus.
The scientists have called for a meeting with WHO and the US government about the issue.
Researcher Ron Fouchier of Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, told Science: "Bioterrorists can't make this virus, it's too complex, you need a lot of expertise. And rogue nations that do have the capacity to do this don't need our information.
"So I don't think they will benefit from this information at all."
He said there were "public health benefits" and "the entire influenza community is crying just how important that is".
Tags: Europe | Flu & Viruses | North America | Respiratory | World Health
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