TY - JOUR
T1 - Life scientists' views and perspectives on the regulation of dual-use research of concern
AU - Engel-Glatter, Sabrina
AU - Ienca, Marcello
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press.
PY - 2018/2/1
Y1 - 2018/2/1
N2 - In the early 2000s, several publications initiated a debate about the potential misuse of academic life science research. The debate was refueled in 2012, when two studies describing the engineering of human transmissive H5N1 bird flu virus were published. To facilitate the debate on dual-use research of concern (DURC) and regulatory measures, we interviewed life science researchers working in Switzerland about their views on DURC. The results indicate that all scientists interviewed were aware of the debate, however, few had reflected about dual-use aspects with regard to their own work. Although all respondents believed in freedom of research, a majority was supportive of some form of regulation of DURC. This article discusses the major implications of the study, especially regarding the implementation of regulatory measures. In addition, preliminary recommendations are given for raising awareness on DURC in the life sciences among researchers.
AB - In the early 2000s, several publications initiated a debate about the potential misuse of academic life science research. The debate was refueled in 2012, when two studies describing the engineering of human transmissive H5N1 bird flu virus were published. To facilitate the debate on dual-use research of concern (DURC) and regulatory measures, we interviewed life science researchers working in Switzerland about their views on DURC. The results indicate that all scientists interviewed were aware of the debate, however, few had reflected about dual-use aspects with regard to their own work. Although all respondents believed in freedom of research, a majority was supportive of some form of regulation of DURC. This article discusses the major implications of the study, especially regarding the implementation of regulatory measures. In addition, preliminary recommendations are given for raising awareness on DURC in the life sciences among researchers.
KW - Biosecurity
KW - Dual-use research of concern
KW - Life science research
KW - Regulation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85042925570&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/scipol/scx050
DO - 10.1093/scipol/scx050
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85042925570
SN - 0302-3427
VL - 45
SP - 92
EP - 102
JO - Science and Public Policy
JF - Science and Public Policy
IS - 1
ER -