<< Previous Section | < Previous Page | Next Page > | Next Section >> Case: The Real Thing Eckhard and Wimmer demonstrated the complete synthesis from oligonucleotides of the cDNA of poliovirus, from which infectious virus could be produced. They published these results in Science. Cello et al demonstrated that the production of the active virus could be carried out from scratch -one could say that a form of life was created. This received a lot of press play. There was considerable criticism of both the authors and Science for publishing material that might be of use to terrorists. A number of congresspersons filed a resolution criticizing the publication. Although, in this case the virus is tiny and available, the method expensive and unwieldy, and the infectiousness quite limited, there is no doubt that by appropriate genetic manipulation, with enough money, agents like smallpox and anthrax could be produced by scientists and their results published. Scientists have social as well as individual responsibilities. Questions: 1. How can we handle the inevitably increasing capacity to create dangerous life forms? As individual scientists? As a society? As an international scientific community? << Previous Section | < Previous Page | Next Page > | Next Section >> Chapter 1 Quick Links The Ethical Basis of RCRH The Nature of Science Research Integrity Professionalism in Science Practical Elements of Responsible Research Conduct Cases Bibliography Chapter 1 Download (PDF)