'Harmful' scientific research should be vetted, says Royal Society

Proposals for scientific research should be vetted to prevent harmful applications such as the development of biological weapons, the UK national academy of science will tell a United Nations meeting today.

The Royal Society is expected to call for industrial and government sponsors to take measures to filter out research proposals “where there is a tangible cause for concern in terms of harmful applications”.

However, the society will warn against a vetting process to filter out basic research that may have potential, but unidentified, dual uses, both beneficial and harmful, because it would be “difficult and impose a burdensome layer of bureaucracy on the research enterprise”.

Professor Brian Eyre, chair of the Royal Society committee on scientific aspects of international security, will tell the meeting: “There is a need for the scientific community, governments and relevant agencies to be fully aware of the potential of scientific advances both in enabling the illegal development of more lethal weapons and in developing more effective counter measures to the use of such weapons. Scientists also need to be aware of the potential misuse of science and of their responsibilities in meeting the requirements of international treaties and conventions aimed at preventing the proliferation and use of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear weapons.”

The meeting will examine the role of the United Nations in responding to threats from biological agents to international security.

The Royal Society will call for the formation of an international scientific advisory panel to ensure that the implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention keeps pace with technological advances in the life sciences.

The Royal Society will publish a report on the detection and decontamination of chemical and biological agents on 21 April 2004.

(gmcg)