The SERCEB Policy, Ethics and Law Core has developed an online module to assist those involved with the biological sciences in better understanding the “dual-use” dilemma inherent in such research. This module is intended for graduate and post-doctoral students, faculty members, and laboratory technicians involved in biological research in microbiology, molecular genetics, immunology, pathology, and other fields related to emerging infectious disease and biological threats to human, animal, and environmental health. The module consists of a ~20 minute online presentation followed by a brief assessment.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the presentation, the user should be able to:

1. Describe new policies and legislation impacting the biological sciences
2. Identify and analyze potential ethical, legal and policy problems which researchers may encounter; and
3. Develop strategies to avoid or resolve such potential problems

To start, click on the module title:

The Dual-Use Dilemma in Biological Research

Author
Arri Eisen, PhD
Director, Ethics, Science & Society Program
Senior Lecturer in Biology
Emory University

Staff
E. Megan Davidson
Research Assistant
SERCEB Policy, Ethics and Law Core
Duke University

Nikki M. Vangsnes
Program Director
SERCEB Policy, Ethics and Law Core
Duke University

External Reviewers
Eileen Choffnes, PhD
Senior Program Officer
National Academies

Gigi Kwik Gronvall, PhD
Associate, Center for Biosecurity
Assistant Professor of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Phil Hanna, PhD
Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
University of Michigan

Stephanie Loranger, PhD
Director of Biology Issues
Federation of American Scientists

Heather Lynch
Graduate Student in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Duke University

Richard W. Moyer, PhD
Senior Associate Dean for Research Development
Chair, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
University of Florida College of Medicine
SERCEB Steering Committee Member and
Program PI

Shelley Payne, PhD
Distinguished Lecturer and Professor of Microbiology
University of Texas at Austin
Director of Graduate Education Program
American Society for Microbiology

Internal Reviewers
Robert M. Cook-Deegan, MD
Director, Center for Genome Ethics, Law and Policy
Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy
Duke University

Ruth Berkelman, MD
Director, Center for Public Health Preparedness, Professor of Epidemiology,
Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University

Stuart Finder, PhD
Director, Center for Clinical and Research Ethics
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Vanderbilt University

Elizabeth Heitman, PhD
Associate Professor of Medical Ethics
Vanderbilt University

Maureen Kelly, PhD
Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Bioethics and Public Health
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Nancy M. P. King, JD
Professor, Department of Social Medicine
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Ray Moseley, PhD
Associate Professor of Bioethics, Law, and Medical Professionalism
University of Florida College of Medicine