The Controversy About the H5N1 Transmissibility Experiments. resumes on lethal flu strains

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1 The Controversy About the H5N1 Transmissibility Experiments resumes on lethal flu strains M AY VO L N AT U R E 1 3

2 Learning Objectives Participants will be able to: Describe the details of the experiments in question. Explain why the research is considered as dual use Examine the role of scientists in contemporary society

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4 H5N1 viruses Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) virus is a virus that occurs mainly in birds, is highly contagious among birds, and can be deadly to them, especially domestic ones. Few sporadic human infections with this virus have occurred and caused serious illness and death.

5 Summary of the issues Studies by Ron Fouchier at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherland and Yoshihiro Kawaoka at the University of Wisconsin, USA, aimed to answer a question whether H5 influenza viruses can achieve sustainable aerosol transmission in ferrets? Yoshihiro Kawaoka Ron Fouchier guide.net/chapitre102/

6 They did repeat passage and replication of H5N1 in ferrets, a well established animal model for the study of influenza transmission. Ferrets are also more likely than humans to have disseminated, multiorgan influenza disease including neurologic sequelae (consequences) resulting from virus replication in the brain (Zitzow LA, et al, 2002). Their results showed that mutant strains of H5N1 can achieve sustainable aerosol transmission in ferrets

7 The Kawaoka Experiments Random mutation produced about 2.1 million strains one could now bind the human/ferret receptor That H5N1 was reassorted with the 2009 H1N1 virus (mix two viruses) and injected into ferrets a third mutation led to airborne transmission 3 M AY VO L N AT U R E 1 3

8 A fourth mutation that stabilized virus entry caused effective airborne transmission between ferrets 3 M AY VO L N AT U R E 1 3

9 Activity 1 15 minutes Research the five steps in influenza replication Group 1: virus attachment Group 2: cell entry Group 3: nuclear entry and transcription Group 4: transcription and replication Group 5: assembly and budding

10 Linda Stannardhttp:// /aim/virus replication

11 Jigsaw model (4 groups) Regulatory agency (Group 2) Authors (Group 1) WHO (Group 3) Public (Group 4) Media (Group 5)

12 Activity 2 Role play and jigsaw Group 1: The authors, who support and justify the research approach Group 2: A government regulatory agency in Indonesia concerned with dissemination of information Group 3 : The WHO, who has to balance open publication with public safety Group 4: The public, who are frightened and skeptical Group 5: The media, who overreact to the issue

13 Time line of H5N1 dual use events MALTA meeting Sept 2011 NSABB advises Redaction/limited Access Nov 21 WHO opposes redaction Feb 17 May 2 Kawaoka paper published Dec NIH meeting on flu research regulations Oct 17, OCTOBER manuscripts arrive at NSABB* Jan day voluntary moratorium Mar 30 NSABB Reverses decision *National Science Advisory Board on Biosecurity Jun 21 Fouchier paper published Jul 31 Flu meeting NYC NIH (Fauci) advises that moratorium be continued Jan controversy ended by the resumption of research

14 Activity 3 concept mapping As a group, list the elements that arise in the H5N1 case

15 An example of a concept map

16 Activity 3 concept mapping As a group, now link these elements together in a concept map

17 Conclusions Scientists should understand that their research may be misused or misapplied to harm society. Scientists must take into consideration the essential procedures to minimize and prevent the misuse of their research.