Warning of the risk of misuse of research on influenza

The World Health Organization (who) today warned of the potential risk of doing research on influenza virus if not apply high standards and recommendations adopted by this body.

"Who takes note of the studies carried out at several institutions on mutations that the H5N1 virus can suffer to be more transmissible among humans and warning of the risk that their misuse could lead." "Who is very concerned about the potential negative consequences of such misuse," said the Agency in a statement

The alert relates to the controversy arose after the investigation directed by Ron Fouchier Dutch virologist who discovered five genetic mutations that the H5N1 virus (avian influenza) can suffer for his infection among people, which could have high health risks public.

The past 21 December it became known that the scientists of the Rotterdam Erasmus University Medical Centre of u000aHolland, where he works Fouchier, yielded to us pressure and agreed to publish in journals only partially the results of his research on influenza avian, censured by Washington for fear that were used to develop weapons biological.

The Advisory Council on Biosafety of America recommended that the scientific journal "Science" that do not publish the methodology used by virologists Dutch, because of arriving at the hands of terrorists, it could be used to manufacture a weapon biological.

The aim of the Dutch study has been funded by the National Institute of health United States, sought to obtain the information necessary to prevent a possible pandemic caused by such variant of influenza, which previously only post-independence among birds or animals to the people.

In spite of which were inconsistent with the opinion of the American advisory body, the scientists decided to accept the u000arecommendation

Who recalls the communiqué of today that the H5N1 virus is potentially very dangerous because although usually not contaminated people, when it does, kill 60% of the infected.

"Due to the fact that these viruses can cause a severe illness in humans, scientists are particularly concerned that this type of influenza could one day mutate, spread easily among people and cause a severe influenza pandemic", continued who.

That is why the body governing global health requested all scientists to follow the recommendations on influenza research approved by the institution and has controls very severe.

"Studies should be conducted only once all the benefits and risks to human health have been identified and analyzed, and to be sure that the protections necessary to minimize the potential consequences" u000a"negative have been established", concluded the who.

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