Malevolent Use Research Articles

The mousepox experience

Can dual‐use research be conducted safely, or are some things simply too dangerous to ever be appropriate research topics? Ronald Jackson and Ian Ramshaw offer their own perspectives in interviews about their groundbreaking work with mousepox virus.

Ethics and synthetics

The paper discusses whether to incorporate ethics subjects to physical sciences especially on synthetic biology. Several arguments arose on the ethical challenges of the effects and consequences of technology, but the science community and philosophers agree on the minimalization of malevolent use of synthetic biology.

Plant pathogens as agroterrorist weapons: assessment of the threat for European agriculture and forestry

Malevolent use of plant pathogens in an act of agroterrorism represents a potential threat for European agriculture and forestry. We investigated the risk of agroterrorism sensu lato, which is raising debates among the community of plant pathologists. In the absence of a previous unambiguous definition of agroterrorism we characterized the risk for Europe by taking into account the multiplicity of the threat, of the perpetrator’s objectives, and of potential modus operandi. To this end, we have applied a three-step methodology involving: (1) the building of a list of candidate pathogens, (2) a scenario-based exploration of potential agroterrorist acts, and (3) the design of a risk evaluation scheme (RES), derived from the standard pest risk analysis (PRA). We adopted a congruent risk assessment strategy consisting of coupling the foresight exercise (assignment of nine key pathogens extracted from the list to nine scenarios and comparison of different intrinsic criteria) to the analytical assessment (application of the RES to the nine key pathogens and qualitative analysis resulting in a pentagonal star plot representing risk profiles). Analysis was performed by non-experts on the selected diseases, and thus enabled a comparison between crops or pathogens on the basis of the characterization of the threat. The risk, considered in its hybrid dimension (both factual because it refers to crop protection and an effective stake, and also irrational because it refers to bioterrorism, a vague and unobservable concept) was characterized exhaustively for the selected plant pathogens and the success of a malevolent act appeared to be much more uncertain than believed. However, agroterrorism should be considered as a plausible threat, potentially more important by the consequences of the securitization of the concept, which could imply disruption of regulations and trade, than by direct damaging consequences on European crops. There is probably not a single short-list of threatening pathogens: different pathogens would be most threatening for different purposes, for different perpetrators, and for different target crops.

PSL study of irradiated food: NaCl as possible reference material

Gamma-irradiated NaCl samples of different origin were studied with the aim to find a reliable, easy-to-use, low-cost standard for the PSL technique, an increasingly used screening method for irradiated food identification. Five different natural salt types (rock and sea salts) purchased in the local markets were studied along with a laboratory-grade NaCl. High sensitivity and reproducibility of the PSL response are good properties of salt, but the pronounced fading of the signal may be a severe limitation of its use as a reference material. The high sensitivity along with the linear dose dependence of the PSL response opens up the interesting possibility of salt as suitable material for retrospective and environmental dosimetry, especially in the case of accidental irradiation or malevolent use of ionizing radiation. Again, the extreme sensitivity of the PSL signal to light and the pronounced fading must be considered limiting factors, and further basic research is required before practical applications of salt be feasible.

A methodology for assessing the risk posed by the deliberate and harmful use of plant pathogens in Europe

Deliberate and malevolent use of plant pathogens, i.e. agroterrorism lato sensu (anticrop bioterrorism and use of bioweapons against the agricultural sector), may represent a non‐negligible threat for crops and forests in Europe. In order to assess this risk objectively, a methodology based on a critical review of existing Pest Risk Analysis schemes has been elaborated and is described in the present paper. In this methodology, three interdependent steps are suggested: (i) definition of an a priori list of potentially dangerous plant pathogens for Europe, (ii) detailed elaboration and analysis of theoretical scenarios of possible acts of agroterrorism, and (iii) elaboration and use of a risk assessment scheme adapted to agroterrorism.

Improvement of the measuring equipment used in the assessment of internal doses in emergency situations

Emergency response plans have long been focused on accidents at nuclear power plants. Recently, the malevolent use of radiation aimed at creating disruption in the society has been considered as a possible threat. In this kind of emergency situations casualties will most likely be members of the public and the number of affected people can vary from a few to mass casualties. There is an evident need for rapid measurements of large groups of internally contaminated people. Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) in Finland has obtained new monitors for thyroid and simple whole-body measurements in field conditions as a part of the continuous improving of emergency preparedness. The new monitors consist of a NaI(Tl) detector and a control unit. The monitors work as spectrometers allowing real-time spectrum analysis in the field.

Evaluation of Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara as an Alternative Vaccine against Smallpox in Chronically HIV Type 1-Infected Individuals Undergoing HAART

The fear of malevolent use of variola virus by terrorists has led to the implementation of a health care worker vaccination program and to the consideration of vaccination for the general public. However, due to concerns about side effects of the classical smallpox vaccine, especially for immunocompromised individuals, a safer vaccine is urgently needed. We characterized the immunogenicity of modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA), one of the more promising alternative smallpox vaccines, in a cohort of 10 chronically HIV-1-infected individuals undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Nine subjects received smallpox vaccination as children while one subject was never vaccinated against smallpox. All the subjects had CD4 counts >400 cells/mm(3) and 8 out of 10 had undetectable viral loads. MVA was able to elicit humoral and cellular immune responses in the majority of individuals. Vaccinia-specific antibodies were mainly of the IgG class while T cells specific to vaccinia were predominantly CD8(+). The immune responses were maintained over 1 year. Similar vaccinia specific humoral immune responses were observed when our cohort of HIV-1-infected individuals was compared to smallpox-vaccinated healthy subjects. The observed immune responses suggest that the highly attenuated MVA could be used as a substitute vaccine against smallpox in chronically HIV-1-infected individuals undergoing HAART.

Monitoring in case of emergency situations related to orphaned sources

Orphaned sources may cause serious accidents as history has shown and in the past few years, attention for malevolent use of radioactivity has grown considerably. Firstly, this paper describes the context of the problem. We propose to introduce a scheme for the prevention of loss or abuse of sources. This programme includes administrative measures for strong sources, controlling mechanisms and aspects of waste management. Secondly, we address basic requirements as regards monitoring given lost or stolen sources or if a contamination of unknown origin is identified. This paper pleads for well-trained emergency staff, for the presence of advanced equipments and expertise at national or regional level and for international collaboration where necessary. The main steps in an adequate response scheme are discussed and illustrated and the aftermath of the crisis (clean-up actions) is also discussed. Finally, we stress the importance of measurements in a context of information and openness.

Commentary: The Ethics of Dangerous Discovery

The American Medical Association's (AMA's) Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs' (CEJA's) new “Guidelines to Prevent the Malevolent Use of Biomedical Research” are both timely and appropriate. These guidelines are a product of the increasing realization of the “dual use” potential of life science discoveries. Although biomedical research usually aims at the development of new medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and so on, the very same discoveries that could benefit humankind in these ways also often have implications for the development of biological weapons. The CEJA Guidelines draw attention to this fact and hold that physician–researchers have responsibilities regarding the uses to which their discoveries are put. Medical researchers should assess the likely social benefits and harms of their work and avoid projects where the latter outweigh the former. Knowledge and the advancement of science should not be the only aims of scientists; “commitment to public welfare and safety” are also essential. Toward the aim of preventing the malevolent use of research discoveries, the CEJA states that “regulatory oversight” of research (with an eye to potential harmful uses of potential discoveries), increased ethics education of physician researchers, and sometimes perhaps even censorship of research findings, are warranted.

Commentary: The Application of Medical Ethics in Biomedical Research

The question of how to prevent the malevolent use of biomedical research is not new. It has its genesis in how to prevent any new technology, invention, or scientific discovery created for the benefit and advancement of human welfare being used for the expressed purpose of harming the human community. There is the ethical component, the social responsibility component, and the intent to preserve the beneficent characteristic of biomedical research (that it not be used for malevolent purposes) at stake in this issue.The views presented are strictly those of the author and do not reflect any official policy of the United States Army or the Government of the United States.

Commentary: Physicians and the Risk of Malevolent Use of Research

Commentary: Physicians and the Risk of Malevolent Use of Research

High-resolution alpha spectrometry under field conditions – fast identification of alpha particle emitting radionuclides from air samples

Alpha particle emitting radionuclides may be released into the atmosphere as a result of a severe nuclear accident, the malevolent use of radioactive material or some other incident. Rapid detection methods are then of crucial importance for carrying out well-timed protective actions. The present paper demonstrates that a method in which an aerosol sample is collected on a filter and directly analysed by high-resolution alpha spectrometry in a vacuum chamber, but without radiochemical sample treatment, is suitable for field measurements. A detection limit of less than 0.1 Bq m −3 for 239Pu is achieved assuming 1-h sampling using a glass-fibre filter and 1-h data acquisition. This value is higher than in the case when sampling is performed using a porous membrane filter. A measurement system consisting of standard components is mounted in a vehicle designed for rapid field measurements.

Scientific meeting of the American Institute for Psychoanalysis. The malevolent use of emotions: how affects can be used to convert and alert the personality, Presenter: Ruth Stein, Ph.D., Discussant: Giselle Galdi, Ph.D., Date: November 20, 2002.

THE MALEVOLENT USE OF EMOTIONS: HOW AFFECTS CAN BE USED TO CONVERT AND ALERT THE PERSONALITY, Presenter: Ruth Stein, Ph.D., Discussant: Giselle Galdi, Ph.D., Date: November 20, 2002

The malevolent use of microbes and the rule of law: legal challenges presented by bioterrorism.

Physicians and public health officials would bear the brunt of the health nightmare unleashed by an act of bioterrorism. Mass casualties and the worried well would swamp hospitals and health care facilities that barely cope with normal health care needs. Confusion and fear would haunt infectious disease specialists trying to control the aftermath of an attack with biological weapons (hereafter bioweapons). Supplies of antibiotics and equipment would likely be quickly used up. Efforts to treat the sick and control the spread of the pathogenic microbe could be hampered by shortages of medical staff and absenteeism. Public order would be imperiled. What is often neglected in thinking about the threats bioweapons pose to public health is the foundation that law provides for effective public health activities. Focusing on the link between public health and the law reveals that bioterrorism would also constitute a grave threat to the role law plays in regulating public and private behavior in the United States. In this article, I examine 3 significant challenges that the malevolent use of microbes would pose for the rule of law in the United States.