Abstract
Introduction:
In a post-9/11 world, the potential risks associated with biodefense research are great. The dual-use dilemma concerns the ability of legitimate biomedical research intended to be used for societal good, to instead be subverted for the development of biological weapons causing a threat to the population. The objective of this study was to review the current life sciences literature in order to identify options to minimize the risks associated with dual-use research.
Methods:
The MEDLINE database was searched for studies concerning the ethics of biodefense, or the dual-use dilemma. Ten articles met all inclusion criteria and were thoroughly reviewed and analyzed.
Results:
The most commonly suggested strategy for minimizing the potential harm caused by scientific research was self-regulation within the scientific community followed by increased security within the scientific community, international cooperation, and finally, increased biodefense education for professionals. One article suggested that decreases in forced security would minimize the risk of the dual-use of bioterrorism through increased open scientific scrutiny and self-regulation within the community. Another article argued for more clarity in guidelines to define the type of research that would require increased security. Strategies were not mutually exclusive with many articles offering combination approaches to minimize dual-use risks.
Conclusions:
To offer the best protection against terrorist use of dual-use research from a biological sciences perspective, many of the proposed measures need to be undertaken simultaneously.