In class we have been discussing Influenza for the past few days. in the article WHO: Bird Flu Study Could Be Published in Full After Risks Assessed , by Liz Klimas written on February 22, 2012 discuses the risks involved with the publication of the study of the mutated form of the bird flu or H1N5.
If the flu
was to fall into the wrong hands of a person, there could be a major epidemic
break out or even worse a pandemic. After the meeting of flu experts and other
researchers in Geneva, there was
still a great debate over should the research be published or not.
Publishing
something so dangerous in newspapers and broadcasting on the news could
advertise this research to the wrong people.
Gregory Hartl, a WHO (world health
organization) spokesman, said that “there must be a much fuller discussion of
risk and benefits of research in this area and risks of the virus itself.” This
topic is just like any other risk people take, except there could be a severe
problem if the flu got out and into the wrong hands, does the public really
need to know all about whats going on in those labs?
Personally
I think this could be published if it was done so in an appropriate way. Such
as not telling of the location of where the virus is being studied and held
along with who is conducting the research and the workers.
All of the
information about the research could one day be published but only after there
is a definite known vaccination or cure for this mutated form of the flu in
case the virus did in fact enter the wrong hands.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/who-bird-full-study-could-be-published-in-full-after-risks-assessed/
I think as a scientist doing research that they are under obligations ethically to disclose information that is yielded in their research and experiments. It is up to them to present the information, however, in a timely manner that doesn't convey any unnecessary information that might reveal too much to those who would know how to use the information in a destructive manner. Besides, the public doesn't always care about the nitty gritty of how so much as how the information being presented affects them. How different is publishing their information in both a scientific journal or a newspaper? The audiences are different but the information is presented differently. I read both but will I start mass producing the influenza virus? No. Besides, since I would be handling it I would get sick first...duh.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting article to read, mainly because it closely relates to what we are doing in class right now. Not only that but this article also covers the highly controversial issue of civil liberties and disease. I can see why the researchers would not want to publish new information on a deadly virus, but I feel as though the people have a right to know. As long as the virus is kept in an undisclosed location, all the people need to know is a potentially deadly virus was discovered. Another way to go about this is to keep all information about this new flu hidden until a proper cure is found.
ReplyDeleteThis article was very interesting to read because of its relationship with the influenza pandemic we are discussing in class. I think that information about the study should be released to the public, but also agree with Cristina and think that they should limit what they let the public know. Releasing information about where the virus is, and problems it could case would do more harm than good. I think that the public should at least be aware that a study is going on to find cures so that if they public does somehow become infected they would know what it was.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with Cristina's last statements. Yes it is necessary for the public to be notified, but not until their are known vaccines and treatments. On the other hand, the public does have a right to the knowledge if there is a possibility of something close to bio-warfare. All always, it is important to protect the people working with the disease and even the vaccine for it. Yes, the public should be informed, but when it's appropriate according to their safety.
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