Biological weapons, genetics, and social analysis: emerging responses, emerging issues--II

Area of Science:

• Biosecurity
• Medical Ethics
• Social Science of Science

Background:

• Recent terrorist attacks heightened awareness of biological weapon threats.
• Bioscientists and professional organizations are increasingly questioning the dual-use potential of their research.
• This is the second part of a two-part article examining organizational responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine emerging responses by US and UK biomedical organizations to biological weapon threats.
• To analyze how scientific and medical communities define professionalism, responsibility, and accountability.
• To suggest avenues for future social analysis of these issues.

Main Methods:

• Examination of responses initiated by biomedical organizations and spokespersons in the US and UK.
• Analysis of how scientific and medical communities are defining and policing concepts of professionalism, responsibility, and accountability.
• Literature review and case study analysis (implied).

Main Results:

• Biomedical organizations and spokespersons are actively developing responses to biological weapon concerns.
• The scientific and medical communities are engaged in defining and enforcing standards of professionalism and responsibility.
• Emerging frameworks for accountability in biological research are being established.

Conclusions:

• The scientific community is actively grappling with the ethical and security implications of biological research.
• Defining and policing professionalism, responsibility, and accountability are key challenges.
• Further social analysis is needed to understand the long-term impact of these responses.