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Balancing Secrecy and Open Science The Dual Use Dilemma

Balancing Secrecy and Open Science The Dual Use Dilemma. Brian J. Gorman, M.Sc., J.D. Towson University, Maryland Presentation for The National Academies’ Committee on Scientific Communication and National Security October 30, 2006. The Dual Use Dilemma.

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Balancing Secrecy and Open Science The Dual Use Dilemma

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  1. Balancing Secrecy and Open ScienceThe Dual Use Dilemma Brian J. Gorman, M.Sc., J.D. Towson University, Maryland Presentation for The National Academies’ Committee on Scientific Communication and National Security October 30, 2006

  2. The Dual Use Dilemma. Open publication of scientific methods Helps terrorists and rogue states pursue bioweapons Helps advance science

  3. Lowest financial barrier at $1 per life Lowest access barrier to equipment Least effective detection modalities Longest lead time before awareness Largest population with technical know-how Weakest state controls Weakest international treaties Widest reach due to transmissibility Worst cooperation from professionals Widest access to sensitive information Unique Threat of Bioterrorism

  4. Experiments of Concern* • Renders a vaccine ineffective • Alters resistance to antibiotics agents • Increases virulence of a pathogen • Increases transmissibility of a pathogen • Alters the host range of a pathogen • Enables evasion of detection • Enables the weaponization of a biological agent or toxin * Committee on Research Standards and Practice to Prevent the Destructive Application of Biotechnology, National Research Council of National Academy of Sciences, Biotechnology Research in an Age of Terrorism 2004

  5. Due Process VettingRISK ASSESSMENT SCALE • #5. Would this paper lead to the increased transmissibility of a pathogen? 1. Unforeseeable 2.Remote 3. Possible 4. Likely 5. Imminent • #7. Would this paper help enable the evasion of diagnostic/detection modalities? 1. Unforeseeable 2.Remote 3. Possible 4. Likely 5. Imminent

  6. Risk Assessment Scale Flow Chart New Article Author RAS Score IRB RAS Score BRC RAS Screening Journal/Peer Review RAS Score Publish BRC Vetting Request Article Author Journal IRB Gorman, 2005

  7. Due Process Vetting Scale Flow Chart Initial BRC Review and Finding Article recommended for classification Publish Author IRB Journal Consent Consent Consent Demand Hearing Demand Hearing Demand Hearing Gorman, 2005

  8. Notice Mechanism for Sensitive Science • The national security community has no advance warning of publications on sensitive science. • Export rules address national security by controlling the transfer of U.S. technology to countries of concern. • Fundamental research is exempt from export license requirements. • Removal of the fundamental research exemption for select agents would provide the national security community with notice of sensitive dual use science before publication to assure proper vetting. Gorman, 2006

  9. Proposals on Scientific Communication and National Security • Brian J. Gorman, “Balancing National Security and Open Science: A Proposal for Due Process Vetting,” Yale Journal of Law and Technology, Spring 2005. • Brian J. Gorman, “Biosecurity and Secrecy Policy: Problems, Theory and a Call for Executive Action,” I/S: A Journal of Law and Policy for the Information Society, Winter 2006.

  10. Balancing Secrecy and Open ScienceThe Dual Use Dilemma Brian J. Gorman, M.Sc., J.D. Towson University, Maryland Presentation for The National Academies’ Committee on Scientific Communication and National Security October 30, 2006

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