Recent News

By Region: North America

Sword and Shield: The Dual Uses of Pathogen Research

(Science Progress) Jonathan Moreno weighs in on the wisdom of scientists publishing data from studies that create deadly viruses in his recent posting “Bird Flu Blues.” As he asserts, some of the hardest questions in the process of scientific discovery aren’t about science, but philosophy. Is it wise, from what we know now, for scientists Read More »

January 18, 2012
| Filed under Europe, North America, Policy & Initiatives, Public Health, and Research
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USDA to Close over 250 Offices

(National Hog Farmer) Santa Catarina was recognized by USDA in late-2010 as free of foot-and-mouth disease. Obama Proposes New Export Agency – President Obama is asking Congress for the authority to create a new export agency by consolidating six agencies into one to …

January 17, 2012
| Filed under North America, Agriculture, and Policy & Initiatives
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WHO will take a role in solving issued raised by bird flu studies controversy

(Winnipeg Free Press) The World Health Organization says it will take a role in helping the scientific and biosecurity communities sort through a controversy over the US government blocking full publication of two bird flu studies….

January 17, 2012
| Filed under Europe, North America, International, Policy & Initiatives, and Research
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Scientists Question Restrictions on Bird Flu Research

(Global Security Newswire) The decision by a U.S. biodefense advisory board to urge for the suppression of scientific research into the transmission of the avian flu virus will do more harm than good, scientists told the Chicago Tribune this week. The U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity in December called on researchers at the Read More »

January 17, 2012
| Filed under North America, Agents & Toxins, Biosafety, and Research
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Benefits of H5N1 research do not outweigh the risks

(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) Over the past decade, the Center for Biosecurity of UPMC has publicly argued for the importance of such research to develop diagnostics, medicines and vaccines for the most threatening infectious diseases. But research and development for those …