ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses health benefits and security risks associated with experimentally applying genetic modification techniques and publishing the results. On 29 July 2008 a microbiologist named Bruce Ivins, employed for 28 years at a US Army laboratory in Maryland, committed suicide before he could be charged in connection with the anthrax attacks of 2001. Due to advances in gene modification and synthesis technologies, it is possible to make dangerous microorganisms in a laboratory setting. The main reason scientists apply such technology is to investigate the potential for a microorganism’s genome to mutate naturally and so present a new threat to human health. The fundamental aim of a code of conduct for life scientists would be to prevent the direct or indirect application of biotechnology to the development, production, or use of biological weapons. Biosecurity regulations have the potential to reduce the likelihood of a scientist misusing biological materials and technologies to cause harm.
