Survey of Attitudes and Actions on Dual Use Research in the Life Sciences: A Collaborative Effort of the National Research Council and the American Association for the Advancement of Science

摘要

Over the past 50 years, rapidly expanding knowledge in the biological sciences has brought great benefits to society. But the same technologies that fuel scientific advances also pose potential risks--that the knowledge, tools, and techniques gained through legitimate biotechnology research could be misused to create biological weapons or for bioterrorism. This is often called the dual use dilemma of the life sciences. The fear is that some research--dual use research of concern--could be used by those with malicious intent to do great harm. Yet even research with the greatest potential for misuse may offer significant benefits as well. Determining how to constrain the danger without harming essential scientific research is critical for national security as well as prosperity and well-being. Growing concerns about the potential risks of dual use research of concern have led to calls for raising awareness within the scientific community about dual use issues.