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Op-Ed – Dual-Use Research: Is it possible to protect the public without encroaching rights?

T. Tosin Fadeyi, Master’s Candidate, Biotechnology (Biodefense and Biosecurity Concentration), University of Maryland University College For decades, scientists have had reasonable freedom and control over their research and experiments and able to publish and share their work without much inconvenience. The freedom of creativity in the field of science is much like that of an artist – often fueled by an inspiration from other sources, a passion for a unique realm of art (in this case, science), and a natural curiosity. Within reasonable limits, artists and scientists had the world at their fingertips; as long as they weren’t causing a societal disruption Read More »
- May 18, 2015 |
- Filed Under Biosafety, Biotechnology, International, Policy & Initiatives, Research
Book Review: Bioinsecurity and Vulnerability

Reviewed by T. Tosin Fadeyi Edited by Nancy N. Chen and Lesley A. Sharp Contributors: Steven C. Caton, Nancy N. Chen, Joseph Masco, Monir Moniruzzaman, Carolyn Rouse, Lesley A. Sharp, Glenn Davis Stone, Ida Susser, David Vine, and Michael J. Watts. Bioinsecurity and Vulnerability is an intuitive compilation of writings that explore the hysteria surrounding preparation for a silent threat: biological terror. The essays in this book illustrate the reality of biological preparedness in the 21st century by bringing together previously unacquainted realms like genetic engineering, the military, and accidental disasters around the world. Bioinsecurity features relevant photography to illustrate and enhance the contributors’ discussions. Rather Read More »
- April 30, 2015 |
- Filed Under Biosafety, Bioterrorism, International, Policy & Initiatives
Op-Ed – Microbial Forensic Attribution: Where Science Meets International Relations

Christopher A. Bidwell, JD, Senior Fellow for Nonproliferation Law and Policy, Federation of American Scientists & Mark Jansson, Program Manager, CRDF Global. The U.S. government is making significant investments in bio forensics as a tool for attribution. In order for that investment to pay-off, it must be combined with investments in international collaborations so that the science behind any future attribution claims that may be made are accepted as fact, both in scientific and political terms. To better understand how evidence derived from microbial forensics will be received in international contexts among people with different cultural, professional, and political backgrounds, the Federation of American Read More »
- July 17, 2014 |
- Filed Under Agents & Toxins, Biocrimes, Biological Weapons, Biosafety, Bioterrorism, Countermeasures, International, Policy & Initiatives, Public Health
Op-Ed – Science Needs for Microbial Forensics: Developing Initial International Research Priorities

Committee on Science Needs Microbial Forensics: Developing an Initial International Roadmap, Board on Life Sciences, Division of Earth and Life Sciences, National Research Council of the National Academies. Today we find ourselves with a complex infrastructure of government agencies, Select Agent registries, regulated research, environmental monitoring in designated cities, federal and state regulations—all resulting from one more or less successful biological attack on the United States. The Amerithrax attack with highly refined material produced by a knowledgeable expert (presumably in a U.S. bioweapons laboratory) resulted in 22 illnesses and 5 deaths. Approximately 4 g of material were used in the Amerithrax attack. Read More »
- July 17, 2014 |
- Filed Under Agents & Toxins, Agriculture, Biocrimes, Biological Weapons, Biosafety, Biotechnology, Bioterrorism, Countermeasures, International, Policy & Initiatives, Public Health, Research
Vaccinations have prevented at least 103 million cases of contagious disease since 1924

(TheVerge) Vaccinations have been credited with some of humanity’s greatest health technological triumphs over disease, including drastically reducing polio around the globe and almost eliminating smallpox entirely. But how many people have been spared life-threatening infections thanks to the introduction of vaccines? At least 103.1 million children in the US alone since 1924, according to a new analysis of historical infection rate data going back to 1888.
- December 2, 2013 |
- Filed Under Policy & Initiatives, Public Health

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Scientists volley ahead of more dual-use H5N1 debate

(CIDRAP News) As researchers from both sides of the debate over two controversial H5N1 studies weighed in yesterday on full publication versus a more cautionary approach, two US journals said they are developing policies to address any future such instances. Martin Hirsch, MD, editor of the Journal of Infectious Diseases (JID), Read More »

March 29, 2012
| Filed under Europe, North America, International, Policy & Initiatives, and Research
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Basson acted as a ‘soldier’ – Primedia Broadcasting – Eyewitness News

Basson acted as a 'soldier'Primedia Broadcasting – Eyewitness NewsDoctor Wouter Basson on Thursday told the South African Health Professions Council he was taught to respect life during his military training and that was about protecting life. He said he did not consider his role as a doctor, while preparing …and more »

March 29, 2012
| Filed under Research
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How bad could it be?

(CattleNetwork.com) An outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the United States could shut down beef and pork exports and profoundly disrupt our markets for years. Fortunately, we have not had FMD in this country since 1929, and experts around the country are working to keep it that way. But today, Read More »

March 28, 2012
| Filed under North America, Agriculture, and International
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Fort Detrick closure speculation ‘preliminary’

(Maryland Community News Online) Fort Detrick has been expanding due to BRAC changes that began in 2005, building an Interagency Biodefense Campus representing several different federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Homeland Security.

March 28, 2012
| Filed under North America and Research
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Egyptian Camel Handlers Threaten ‘Siege’

(RIA Novosti) Egyptian camel handlers said they would bring thousands of camels to the Egyptian capital Cairo to block the buildings of the cabinet and the agriculture ministry if the nationwide foot-and-mouth disease quarantine is not lifted.

March 28, 2012
| Filed under Africa, Middle East, and Agriculture
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Recent Blog Posts More »
- Op-Ed – Dual-Use Research: Is it possible to protect the public without encroaching rights?
  
  T. Tosin Fadeyi, Master’s Candidate, Biotechnology (Biodefense and Biosecurity Concentration), University of Maryland Read More »
- Book Review: Bioinsecurity and Vulnerability
  
  Reviewed by T. Tosin Fadeyi Edited by Nancy N. Chen and Lesley A. Read More »
- Op-Ed – Microbial Forensic Attribution: Where Science Meets International Relations
  
  Christopher A. Bidwell, JD, Senior Fellow for Nonproliferation Law and Policy, Federation of American Read More »
- Op-Ed – Science Needs for Microbial Forensics: Developing Initial International Research Priorities
  
  Committee on Science Needs Microbial Forensics: Developing an Initial International Roadmap, Board on Read More »
- Op-Ed – A Necessary Biopreparedness Priority: Strengthening the Medical Countermeasures Enterprise
  
  Christina England, Master’s Candidate, Security Policy, University of Maryland School of Public Policy; Read More »

BAA – Medical Countermeasures for Priority Pathogens

(Global Biodefense) The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has released Read More »
New Antibody Weapons Against Marburg Virus

(Global Biodefense) A new study led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute identifies Read More »
FDA Accepts BLA for Inhalational Anthrax Countermeasure

(Global Biodefense) Anthim (obiltoxaximab) is for the treatment and prevention of inhalational anthrax, Read More »
South Korea MERS death toll rises to 20

(CNN) The World Health Organization said Tuesday that the number of new cases Read More »
What you should know about MERS, the mystery disease that has South Korea on edge

(Washington Post) The spread of MERS, which has infected 126 people since the outbreak began last Read More »