Science self-regulation to deter bioterrorism

6 November 2003

An international code of self-regulation for scientists working with dangerous pathogens and toxins is one of the most effective ways to control the risk of bioterrorist attacks, says the Wellcome Trust in a recently published position statement.

Research on dangerous pathogens is crucial for the discovery of new vaccines, diagnostics and therapies to counter diseases that continue to kill millions of people and cause worldwide economic strife. The open publication of such information is vital to this work.

To allay public concerns and to allow this research to continue the Wellcome Trust believes self-regulation at international, national and local level is the best way to manage risk. Scientists working in this field also have to take responsibility by making themselves aware of the potential dangers.

The statement was released to coincide with the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee report The Scientific Response to Terrorism, and in response to growing fears about the use of biological weapons by terror groups.

The potential problem of bioterrorism was raised in a recent report from the US National Academy of Sciences which also concluded that the dissemination of such scientific information should be self-regulated.

See also

• Science self-regulation to deter bioterrorism (Press release: 6 November 2003)
• Position statement on bioterrorism and biomedical research

External links

• The Scientific Response to Terrorism (House of Commons Science and Technology Committee report - PDF available)