Morning Briefing

"[T]he controversy over the research into the genetic modification of the H5N1 flu virus, finally approved for publication, should offer a reminder of the importance of debate" over dual-use technology, a Nature editorial states. "[D]ual-use basic research is a special case because its implications, for good and bad, are often viewed with the greatest clarity by only a small minority of people," and often only "[t]he scientists involved (and they are increasingly specialists in very small fields) ... can fully understand the risks posed by a line of research," according to the editorial. "There are disadvantages to leaving it up to outsiders to initiate debate about risks, benefits and ethics," the editorials states, noting three disadvantages, including the risk of misconceptions and a lack of knowledge about how to handle some research.