Engineering H5N1 avian influenza viruses to study human adaptation.
Two studies of H5N1 avian influenza viruses that had been genetically engineered to render them transmissible between ferrets have proved highly controversial. Divergent opinions exist about the importance of these studies of influenza transmission and about potential 'dual use' research implications. No consensus has developed yet about how to balance these concerns. After not recommending immediate full publication of earlier, less complete versions of the studies, the United States National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity subsequently recommended full publication of more complete manuscripts; however, controversy about this and similar research remains.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. dm270q@nih.gov
David M
DM
Morens
Kanta
K
Subbarao
Jeffery K
JK
Taubenberger
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000517:prevention & control; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology*; D011643:Publishing; D012637:Security Measures; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology