National Academies: Biosecurity Depends on Information, Not Secrecy

· Story link

In a new report on biosecurity, The National Research Council and Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.says that government restrictions on information “are not likely to reduce the risks” of bioterrorism or other risks from misuse of science. In fact, the council said, restraints on the flow of information “will make it more difficult for civil society to protect itself against such threats and ultimately are likely to weaken national and human security. … the results of fundamental research should remain unrestricted except when national security requires classification of the information.” (2/2/06)