Why bird flu research should be published

"H5N1 bird flu has caused serious disease and deaths in humans. The virus has not, however, sparked off an influenza pandemic as it cannot spread efficiently from human to human. But recent experiments has shown that only a handful of mutations would allow the virus to spread efficiently among mammals.

The U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity has asked the authors as well as editors of journals to delete crucial details. The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Why bird flu research should be published: These experiments seem to have rekindled the debate about the role of science in society. The research on the transmissibility of H5N1 bird flu viruses should be carried out by responsible scientists under adequately controlled conditions and safeguards with the appropriate administrative oversight.

In science, experiments and their results are shared so others can directly use them and advance the field. So, all research data should be published. Slowing down the scientific process does not protect the public, instead it makes us more vulnerable.

The international community must urgently discuss how to guarantee the best conditions for scientific discovery, while also minimising risk. Science must never be impeded by fiction or fear.