Brian J. Gorman, M.Sc., J.D.

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
Unique Threat of Bioterrorism

• 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

4
Experiments of Concern

1. Renders a vaccine ineffective
2. Alters resistance to antibiotics agents
3. Increases virulence of a pathogen
4. Increases transmissibility of a pathogen
5. Alters the host range of a pathogen
6. Enables evasion of detection
7. 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
Journal
IRB
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