Panel II: Risks and Concerns Associated with HPAI H5N1 GOF Research

Gain-of-Function Research on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Viruses:
An International Consultative Workshop
December 17-18, 2012
Day 1
11:10 -- 1:15 P.M. Panel II: Risks and Concerns Associated with HPAI H5N1 GOF Research
Panelist Presentations:
The panelists will identify and discuss the range of concerns that have been raised over HPAI H5N1 GOF research, including biosafety risks, biosecurity risks, dual use and informational risks, and the implications for national and global security in conducting the research.
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the specific risks and concerns associated with HPAI H5N1 GOF research?
a. Biosafety risk, i.e., the physical, biological containment; occupational health; and public exposure
b. Biosecurity risk, e.g., the intentional misuse of information and/or organisms generated by HPAI H5N1 GOF research
c. Other DUR issues, e.g., informational security regarding the experimental details and findings of "sensitive research"
d. Undermining international public health or pandemic preparedness agreements (e.g., WHO Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework, a.k.a. PIP Framework) or nonproliferation conventions
2. Which components of HPAI H5N1 GOF experiments raise particular concern?
a. Increasing transmissibility of HPAI H5N1 viruses that might not occur naturally?
b. Increasing pathogenicity of HPAI H5N1 viruses that might not occur naturally?
c. Altering host range of HPAI H5N1 viruses that might not occur naturally?
d. Combinations of the above?
3. Are there experiments that should not be done, and if so, why not?
Panel Co-Moderators:
Nancy Cox, Ph.D.
Director, Influenza Division, Office of Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA
Nariyoshi Shinomiya, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, National Defense Medical College, Japan
Panelists:
Ilaria Capua, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Director, Research and Development Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Italy
Seth Carus, Ph.D.
Deputy Director, Center for Counterproliferation Research, Distinguished Research Professor, National Defense University, USA
Arturo Casadevall, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, and Member, National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, USA
E. William Colglazier, Ph.D.
Science and Technology Adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State, USA
Gerald Epstein, Ph.D.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Chemical, Biological, Nuclear, and Radiological Policy, Office of Policy, Department of Homeland Security, USA
Gary Kobinger, Ph.D.
Head, Vector Design and Immunotherapy Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency, Canada
John S. Parker, M.D., Major General (Retired)
Senior Vice President, SAIC Inc., USA
Harvey Rubin, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, University of Pennsylvania Institute for Strategic Threat Analysis and Response, and Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Professor, Division of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA
Pretty Multihartina D. Sasono, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist, National Institute of Health Research and Development, Ministry of Health, Indonesia
Dawn Wooley, Ph.D., S.M. (N.R.C.M.), R.B.P., C.B.S.P.
Associate Professor, Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, USA