Dual Use Research of Concern-The Necessity of Global Bioethics Engagement

Dual use research of concern (DURC) refers to research conducted for legitimate scientific purposes that could also be misused to pose a significant threat to public health and safety, agricultural crops and other plants, animals, the environment, or national security. Scant discussion of bioethics in relation to DURC has taken place, with even less attention to DURC within a global bioethics framework. Herein, we demonstrate the connections of global bioethics-due to globalization, solidarity and cooperation, the precautionary principle, and collective consent-to DURC and present a number of questions that the field can help clarify.