Researchers and policy-makers debate the case for redacting avian flu papers.
On 2 February, scientists and public-health officials squared up to each other in a panel discussion at the New York Academy of Sciences. Debate raged around the fate of two papers that describe mutant forms of avian influenza virus H5N1. These mutated viruses have been shown to be transmissible between ferrets, which has raised concerns that they would be transmissible between other mammals, including humans, with potentially devastating consequences. Several panellists sat down with Nature to discuss their positions.
A full video of the two-hour debate is available from the New York Academy of Sciences. See also our online news special on the H5N1 controversy.
Related video
Related links
Related links
Related links in Nature Research
Lab flu may not aid vaccines 2012-Feb-08
Emotion runs high at H5N1 debate 2012-Feb-03
Q&A: Reasons for proposed redaction of flu paper 2012-Jan-31
Policy: Adaptations of avian flu virus are a cause for concern 2012-Jan-31
Researchers defend benefits of mutant flu research 2012-Jan-26
Open the debate on flu research 2012-Jan-25
Caution urged for mutant flu work 2012-Jan-25
News blog: Pandemic 2009 H1N1 virus gives wings to avian flu 2012-Jan-25
Scientists call for 60-day suspension of mutant flu research 2012-Jan-20
Related external links
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Should mutant flu data be censored?. Nature (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature.2012.10023
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature.2012.10023