US government orders scientific journals to censor findings of deadly H5N1 bird flu experiment
After toying with the idea of blocking public access to critical information discovered as part of an experiment with H5N1 avian flu, the US government has now decided that certain details of this controversial research be withdrawn from two scientific journals. The UK’s Guardian reports that the journals Science and Nature are working to remove certain details from the research that terrorists may try to use to create biological weapons.
The controversy stems from research conducted by Dr. Ron Fouchier from Erasmus Medical Centre in the Netherlands, who deliberately created a deadly strain of H5N1 that is capable of spreading among mammals, including humans. NaturalNews reported on this intentional “militarization” of H5N1 last month, when the government was still considering what to do with the new-found information (http://www.naturalnews.com/034228_b…).
According to Science Insider, Dr. Fouchier told reporters that he and his team’s deliberate mutation of H5N1 had created “probably one of the most dangerous viruses you can make.” US National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) chair Paul Keim added, “I can’t think of another pathogenic organism that is as scary as this one. I don’t think anthrax is scary at all compared to this.”
And now… the rest of the story. …..
Harold
I’m reminded of a recent story in which a chemist, who – upon learning some of the compounds he was making were being used to create new “legal highs” such a meowmeow – decided to self-censor to prevent any other drugs being made from his work.
It’s thought the decision has set back cancer research, but is it worth it? I’m unsure.