The Dual Use Dilemma in Scientific Research

The Dual-Use Dilemma

Atlas & Dando (2006) state that dual-use is a term that has been used to describe technologies that could be utilized in both civilian and military settings. However, the term incorporates different dimensions that pose a challenge to modern biology. The dual-use dilemma emerges in the context of biological research and studies in other sciences. In biological research, the dual-use dilemma is brought about by the fact that one piece of scientific research can be used for good and bad purposes. Katz & Banaski (2018) states that dual-use within the field of life sciences refers to technologies, agents, equipment, or information that can be utilized for legitimate scientific purpose or for malicious purposes. When used for malicious purposes within life science, dual-use threatens public health and safety. This implies that the results of scientific research can be misapplied by others to threaten public health and safety.

Given the potential misapplication of the results of scientific research, the dual-use dilemma remains a major concern to public health professionals and governments across the globe. At the core of this dilemma is an ethical problem relating to how scientific research is utilized within life sciences. Governments face an ethical dilemma relating to dual use since they have a responsibility to protect their citizens. The dual-use dilemma is an ethical dilemma because it relates to promoting good on the backdrop of the potential to cause harm (Miller & Selgelid, 2007).

The concept of dual-use primarily relates to two distinct or opposing users of the outcomes of scientific research. On one hand, scientific research has developed to an extent that it provides ground-breaking solutions to some of the common issues facing populations across the globe. The innovative solutions created by scientific research are used to promote the good of the population. Therefore, those who initially undertake the studies use its results for the intended goal i.e. promoting the good or creating solutions to problems. This implies that the researchers and those who use their work for the intended purpose are the primary users of scientific research. On the other hand, there are secondary users of scientific research who do not use results for the purposes intended by the initial researchers. The use of research results for purposes other than those intended by the researchers could inadvertently threaten public health and safety. For example, scientific studies on the aerosolization of a pathogen could be used by malevolent users to fight an unjust war (Miller & Selgelid, 2007).

Over the past few years, the potential misuse of the results of scientific research has become evident in viral research. The use of the outcomes of such studies has highlighted the dual-use dilemma facing scientists and public health professionals. Toh (2013) contends that viral research has focused on providing solutions on how to prevent and or curb the spread of viruses. Throughout the course of human history, viruses have proven to be some of the major threats to public health and safety across the world. As a result, viral research has focused on providing solutions to curb the spread and mitigate the impacts of viruses such as the Spanish Flu, Swine Flu, and Bird Flu. As evident in the case of these viruses, viral research has been carried out extensively and provided solutions to these public health issues. However, the benefits of viral research results have been evident when they are used appropriately or for the purposes intended by initial researchers.

Viral research has also been characterized by the dual-use dilemma since some study results have been used in a manner that threatens public health and safety. For example, two independent teams of researchers have recently created an H5N1 mutant that is capable of human-to-human transmission (Toh, 2013). The dual use of such studies within life sciences has generated concerns on whether dual-use viral research should be allowed to continue.