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Balancing Bioterrorism Threats and Genome Research: Ethical Dilemmas for Scientists

The article discusses the impact of bioterrorism on scientific research, particularly genome mapping. Following the heightened security concerns post-9/11, proposals emerged to restrict access to genome research, particularly for pathogens that could be used as biological weapons. President Bush introduced an international ethical code aimed at preventing the publication of sensitive genetic information. Researchers express concerns over the implications of withholding genome data. The piece highlights the challenges and ethical considerations of exploring microbial genomes amid security fears.

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Balancing Bioterrorism Threats and Genome Research: Ethical Dilemmas for Scientists

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  1. “Limits on Access to Germ Research” The New York Times www.nytimes.com Ryan Cragle November 29, 2001

  2. “Industrial” Effects of Bioterrorism • Heightened Airport Security • Travel and tourism-based business decrease • Different Proposals for Postal Handling • International Business and Trade down

  3. Genome Mapping • Genome: the complete compliment of an organism’s genes • Mostly known through the Human Genome Project, which began in 1990 • The United States: main financial candidate to sequence genomes • Need to research beyond Human Genome • National Human Genome Research Institute reserves right to decide

  4. Microbial Genomes • Benefits of Research and Mapping • Anti-microbial Treatments: • More efficient nucleotide analogs and enzyme inhibitors • More efficient inhibition of protein synthesis

  5. Benefits of Mapping Microbial Genomes • Aids in countering agents of biological warfare • Identification of pathogen

  6. Summary of Article • Bioterrorism threat to science research • President Bush: International Code of Ethical Conduct • Restriction of published genomes

  7. Proposed Restrictions • No foreign researchers • No genome publication of known biological weapons • No publication of genome that can increase the severity of a known weapon • No publication of genome of a microbe that can be used as a weapon of war

  8. Researchers’ Hesitations • Institute for Genomic Research: synthetic microogranism to study evolution • Australia researchers: created resistant strain of mouse pox • Iowa State: destroyed it large collection of anthrax strains

  9. Scientists’ Fears • Do not want to release the “blueprint” that can be used to create the next line of biological weapons.

  10. Unanswered Questions • Who would enforce this ethical code of scientists? • What are the effects of not publishing these genomes? • Who determines what is a “safe” genome to publish and what elements categorize an unsafe genome? • What right does the government possess to restrict foreign researchers from micro- bial lab work?

  11. References • The New York Times. www.nytimes.com • The Scientist. www.the-scientist.com • Campbell, Biology, 5th ed.

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