Meeting of the NSABB to Review Manuscripts on H5N1 Transmissibility Research

On March 29-30, 2012, the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) met to examine two revised H5N1 (avian flu) manuscripts, originally submitted for publication in Science and Nature in October of 2011.

The NSABB recommendations from this meeting will be forwarded to the NIH Director and the HHS Secretary for review and consideration.  HHS will then bring a recommendation to the broader U.S. government for consultation. Following a decision by HHS on the NSABB recommendations, HHS will work with the international community in moving forward on dual use research more broadly.

The NSABB is an independent federal advisory committee chartered to provide advice and guidance to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, and all Federal entities that conduct, support or have an interest in life sciences research regarding biosecurity oversight of dual use research, defined as biological research with legitimate scientific purpose that may be misused to pose a biologic threat to public health and/or national security.