Will Flu Papers Lead to New Research Oversight?

The article reports that in December 2011 the U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) asked that two research teams redact information papers on papers to be published in "Science" and "Nature" about methods for the engineering of the H5N1 influenza virus to increase its transmissibility between mammals. Critics of the move fear that increased government oversight will hamper vital research and information sharing on a global health concern, while proponents point to the importance of restricting access to sensitive data for bioterrorism prevention. The development of a system for the U.S. government to evaluate the safety of future dual-use scientific research is discussed.