[OWW-Discuss] WIRED article: Will Bioterror Fears Spawn Science Censorship?

[Vincent Rouilly]

Will Bioterror Fears Spawn Science Censorship?
04.25.07 | 2:00 AM

http://www.wired.com/politics/onlinerights/commentary/circuitcourt/ 
2007/04/circuitcourt_0425

Since September 11th, people have been increasingly worried about the  
misuse of legitimate scientific research to create dangerous weapons  
or to bypass security measures. Now a federal advisory board is about  
to recommend new guidelines to limit publication of life-sciences  
research that could be misused by terrorists. I think it's treading  
on dangerous ground.

Last Thursday, a draft of the rules was formally adopted by the  
National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, or NSABB, at a  
meeting in Bethesda, Maryland. The draft proposes voluntary  
compliance by scientists, universities and journals, but leaves open  
the possibility of federal legislation to turn the guidelines into  
law. Indeed, it almost invites that result by supporting application  
of the NSABB recommendations to researchers that do not receive  
federal funds -- a result that can only be achieved through  
regulation.... (continues).