By Gaymon Bennett:;xNLx;Center for Biological Futures, Basic Sciences, Hutchinson Center
2011-11-01 04:02:16
Full NSABB Meets to Formulate Final Recommendations Regarding the Publication of the Two Papers
Guided by the findings of the sub-committee, the full NSABB meets to formulate its recommendations concerning what should be done about the imminent publication of the two papers, which now have been accepted by Science and Nature. After significant deliberation NSABB members reach consensus about the need to restrict access to the full findings of the two studies. Several committee members will report that they are committed to the free circulation of research findings as a definitional characteristic of science, but that the dangers associated the methods and findings of this research were uniquely grave and warranted redaction. The NSABB’s recommendation cannot be enforced as they are only an advisory body. Their recommendation will thus require the cooperation of the editors of the publishing journals, Philip Campbell (Nature) and Bruce Alberts (Science). The NSABB makes its recommendations to the NIH/NIAID, who will release the recommendations on December 20 after having communicated with the researchers and the editors of the journals.