Health

Scientists Granted Rights to Publish Bird Flu Study With Possible ‘Pandemic’ Implications

Dutch Government Gives Bird Flu Research Export License for Publication in Jouranls

A Balinese government official injects a chicken to cull it as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of bird flu. (Photo: AP/Firdia Lisnawati)

In April after months of discussion among World Health Organization officials and the National Science Advisory Board on Biosecurity, controversial research by Dutch scientists that developed a pathway for the bird flu virus to become infectious from human to human was approved for publication in scientific journals. Now, the Dutch government has given virologist Ron Fouchier an export license to publish his H5N1 study, according to Science Insider.

(Related: Pandemic possible? Scientist genetically modifies bird flu virus with scary results)

Fouchier from Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam said the license is in his inbox and that “we can now move on” with the publishing of his revised manuscript.

In September 2011, Fouchier presented to some in the scientific community  that he developed a way for the virus, currently not transmissible from human to human, to mutate and become infectious with the potential for pandemic consequences. With that in mind, several biosecurity and flu experts have spoke out in favor and against publication of the research. It is considered “dual use” research and has some concerned it has the potential to be used against mankind as an act of biowarfare.

When Science Insider first reported on Fouchier’s research, he said he expected “a media storm.” He got one. In December 2011, some officials were calling for parts of the research to be censored from publication, so the full pathway of the mutation was not accessible. Others went as far as to say this virus should have never been created. Fouchier et al was cooperative during this time, putting publication of the research on hold as world governments discussed consequences, even as the scientific community was advocating for full publication. After the meeting of 22 scientists and security experts in Geneva, the World Health Organization recommended full publication of the study, but only after a full assessment of its risks are evalutated.

(Related: WHO: Bird flu study could be published in full after risks assessed)

In mid-April, the National Institute of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins confirmed the U.S. would allow for full publication of the study after the Department of Health and Human Services in December had asked the journals Science and Nature to omit some of the more controversial aspects of the research. Collins said in a statement, ”After careful deliberation, the NSABB unanimously recommended the revised manuscript by Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka be communicated in full. The NSABB also recommended, in a 12-to-6 decision, that the data, methods, and conclusions presented in the revised manuscript by Dr. Ron Fouchier be communicated fully after a number of further scientific clarifications are made in the manuscript.”

Dutch Government Gives Bird Flu Research Export License for Publication in Jouranls

H1N1 flu vaccines being made in China. According to Science Insider, the FDA already has a vaccine available for H5N1 as well. (Photo: AP/Andy Wong)

With Dutch regulators now giving Fouchier an export license — something Science Insider reports Fourchier was opposed to applying for in the first place considering it “an inappropriate tool to control the flow of scientific information” — the journals in which Fourchier wants to publish should now have the green light to move forward.

Still, Science Insider states Fourchier and his colleagues are not celebrating just yet. He said once the research is actually in print, “then we’ll throw a party.”

As of right now, according to the HHS, H5N1 is transmissible from infected birds to humans. In 2003, there are nearly 600 infections in 15 countries attributed to the bird flu. In 2011, there were 62 reported cases and 34 deaths in five countries.

[H/T Huffington Post]

Comments (31)

  • KangarooJack
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:45pm

    and to those who say ‘calm down, chicken little’…..

    Wonder how the research is going on that cow, in the U.S., that had atypical Mad Cow disease? Atypical because she never ingested {cannibalism} other “animal by-products” yet ‘spontaneously mutated’ the disease??? No worries though! She was “just” a Dairy Cow.

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • Razlord
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 3:12pm

    DHS To Release Bacteria In Boston Subway System
    http://www.infowars.com/dhs-to-release-bacteria-in-boston-subway-system/

    Report Post »  
  • Razlord
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 3:10pm

    http://www.infowars.com/human-genes-engineered-into-experimental-gmo-rice-being-grown-in-kansas/
    Ethan A. Huff
    Natural News
    May 2, 2012

    (NaturalNews) Unless the rice you buy is certified organic, or comes specifically from a farm that tests its rice crops for genetically modified (GM) traits, you could be eating rice tainted with actual human genes. The only known GMO with inbred human traits in cultivation today, a GM rice product made by biotechnology company Ventria Bioscience is currently being grown on 3,200 acres in Junction City, Kansas — and possibly elsewhere — and most people have no idea about it.

    Report Post »  
  • Razlord
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 3:07pm

    Treasure Hunter Fears Assassination Over Search For Bin Laden’s Body
    http://www.infowars.com/treasure-hunter-fears-assassination-over-search-for-bin-ladens-body/

    Report Post »  
  • Truth1776
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 2:57pm

    Some of the initial information about this scientist‘s ’success’ stated that he was able to make a viable human to human form with just five (5) mutations. In nature, lucking up on just the right five muations might be problematical and thus might not happen – but in a lab, with his steps provided for verification?

    I hope he is now working on the vaccine.

    Even had his work been totally censored and his work destroyed, the genie was out of the bottle. Knowing it can be done will lead someone to do it. Unfortunately, with the amount of hate and divisivness being taught and exhibited around the world, I suspect someone will do it.

    Personally, I wouldn’t be suprised if the virus starts up in one of the countries comprised of the hate mongers of islam. Initially decimating their own country as it spreads around the world. With a major cult (pardon) religion preaching hatred and death to ‘infidels’ and the automatic ascention to their form of heaven if they die in the process of killing ‘infidels’; they won’t care if it is released in the USA or in their own country first. So what if they, their spouses and children die? So long as it kills ‘infidels’ – they don‘t and won’t care. (Although the ‘leadership’ will be someplace safe while their people die.)

    All the wonders of this world and the universe and yet hate mongers can see nothing of it.

    Report Post » Truth1776  
  • dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 2:45pm

    Chinese vaccines? Probably tainted with lead. I’ll take my chances.

    Report Post » dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot  
  • TheGrtDcptn
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 2:39pm

    I’ll keep my faith in GOD…not man…

    they can keep their vaccine(s)…don’t need that poison in my body…

    Report Post »  
  • Dr Vel
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:38pm

    Calm Voice of Reason, you just provided proof Ostriches have learned to speak. This and their IQ did not have to increase in the process. Amazing!

    Report Post »  
  • justangry
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:01pm

    Anyone recall W. signed an executive order allowing the UN to take over the US in the case of a pandemic?

    Report Post » justangry  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:09pm

      BO want’s to destroy the US… and the method does not matter!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • Razlord
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 3:12pm

      yep , he shure did.

      Report Post »  
    • justangry
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 8:10pm

      Point is Lurkr, we have to realize that so are the establishment R’s.

      Report Post » justangry  
  • JEANNIEMAC
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:43am

    On “NCIS Los Angeles”, the story line was about a woman scientist who wanted to start a pandemic of smallpox, to reduce the surplus population of the earth, which was too overcrowded. this is the intention of Agenda 21, and “sustainable development”. Private property and farmland will be confiscated, and humans squashed into high rise apartment buildings. Check out the “ghost cities” in China and the relocation of three million people. check out the relocations taking place in Russia.
    Note that these events are taking place in communist countries where the government controls everything. If we don’t stop the present administration in its tracks, our America is lost.

    Report Post »  
  • hannahlynn46
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:22am

    My first thought when I was read this was..Oh my gosh! This just seems like the beginning of something unimaginable. My question is why do you they need to manipulate the virus so that it can be passed from human to human in order to create a vaccine? Seems to me, in my non medically educated mind, that if you have the original virus that’s all you need??

    Report Post »  
    • Calm Voice of Reason
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:54am

      @Hannah: It is highly improbable that a viral strain will make a direct leap to a form that is transmissible to humans. It is fairly certain to mutate up to several thousand times before it reaches that point and will no longer behave or respond to environments in the same manner as the original strain. Additionally, a human-transmissible form will likely carry unique genetic markers that will provide us with a way to ID an advanced form in the wild. We aren’t certain that a vaccine derived from this manufactured strain will be 100% effective, but at least we have a head start.

      Report Post » Calm Voice of Reason  
  • MDDAWG
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:43am

    This scientist has just created a biological weapon as dangerous as smallpox. Big pharma will sell lots of vaccines when they have the first “scare.”. Watch the movie“Contagion”. It’s not that unrealistic.

    Report Post » MDDAWG  
  • christianUSA
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:42am

    Right never created; it like these clever-fools are trying to cause a germ warfare apocalypse; create a virus with no cure then distribute it all around so some evil person may release it or crazed dictator can use it to threaten the world, but they say they be careful responsible HA, did we not hear that about atom-bomb which had massive security but guarding mass death for century plus secret has Never worked; so this is how scientist decide and then celebrate with a party after distributing mass death instructions? Don’t we grab people and throw them in prison that think like that? Rev6:8 And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

    Report Post »  
  • Calm Voice of Reason
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:32am

    This decision does increase our ability to develop vaccines for the bird flu if, or perhaps when, this strain naturally obtains. I have heard that there is a great fear that this research could be used by people who would use the flu as bio-terrorism, however this kind of work requires highly specialized equipment and advanced expertise and it is unlikely that criminal organizations have such resources.

    Report Post » Calm Voice of Reason  
    • christianUSA
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:14am

      Many assumption: there is no guarantee the flu virus would ever become what they created by genetic manipulation! There is no guarantee that someone by accident or design unreleased it out. There is no guarantee a vaccine will be found. There is no guarantee that the vaccine if found will not kill or harm some. There is no guarantee that if release it will not mutate to a form that a maybe vaccine will not work on. There is no guarantee it won’t be weaponized by a government!

      Report Post »  
    • Brokendrum
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:31am

      requires highly specialized equipment and advanced expertise – much like nuclear weapons of mass destruction ? Centrifuge or other Lab Equipment for instance.
      It isn’t some underground master mind we are concerned about here – that only happens in the comic books,
      Wake up and look around..

      Report Post »  
    • Calm Voice of Reason
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:32am

      Welcome to Life. Where everything is a Maybe and Guarantees apply to pizza deliveries and home appliances on the short term.

      Report Post » Calm Voice of Reason  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:56am

      specialized equipment like the kind china, iran etc all have tons of right? no nothing could possibly go wrong here

      Report Post »  
    • Calm Voice of Reason
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:12pm

      I wasn’t speaking in regards to the very real threat of rogue states having the resources to develop a program based on this, only that the release of the full journal article will not increase the risks significantly. Those countries with a mind to do so would not be affected either way by censoring this information.

      Report Post » Calm Voice of Reason  
  • drewder
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:20am

    It should be published so that the world’s scientists can develop a defense against the virus.

    Report Post »  
  • The_Almighty_Creestof
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:20am

    I work for a pharmacy/drugstore…they push us like mad each year (especially the last two) to sell flu shots.

    Is it to help and protect our customers health?

    Nope.

    It’s because whether it is paid for with cash, insurance or a “free” voucher, the $29.99 shot only costs us $1.96

    Yep…we’ll go that extra mile for you…as long as there is obscene profit in it for us.

    Report Post »  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:07am

    should have never been created. the world wonders when conservatives have a skeptical view of science….because most of it is lacking morals or common sense.

    Report Post »  

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love