Flu Researchers Voluntarily Pause

January 20, 2012

January 20, 2012 | A group of researchers working on the H5N1 avian flu virus have agreed to a 60-day moratorium on research "to allow time for international discussion." The agreement was published in Science and Nature on Friday via a letter from 39 researchers. Recent published papers have raised concerns over the dangers of H5N1 research and have prompted discussion of government regulations. In response, the researchers stated: "To provide time for these discussions, we have agreed on a voluntary pause of 60 days on any research involving highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses leading to the generation of viruses that are more transmissible in mammals." Text of the letter.