Position on Biosecurity and the Dual-Use of Research

13 August 2014

This week, the Society for General Microbiology has released a statement detailing its position on ‘dual-use’ research. Such research is required in the development of vaccines or new therapies, but may have the potential to be misused, for example in the production of bioweapons.

The Society supports the principle of dual-use research for legitimate scientific purposes and opposes indiscriminate research restrictions. However, we also recognise that any research must balance the risks of misuse against any potential benefits.

Read the Position on Biosecurity and the Dual-Use of Research.