The discovery of a new strain of botulism the first in 40 years has spurred bioterrorism concerns among state health officials, who have removed the deadly toxins genetic sequencing information from recently published research, a move that some scientists find alarming.
The new toxin, Clostridium botulinum, was discovered in California this year by the state Department of Public Health. An infant who contracted the illness survived, although the state health department has not said when or where the baby was examined or treated.
While the agencys findings appeared in the Journal of Infectious Diseases in October, the genetic sequence that makes up the botulism toxin was not included in the report.
Removal of the information has spawned concern among scientists who regard access to all scientific research findings as sacrosanct. The issue is reminiscent of a January 2012 controversy over a federal advisory boards call for scientific research into avian flu, known as H5N1, to be kept under wraps so it could not be exploited by a rogue state or bioterrorist group. The research eventually was published in scientific journals several months later.
The decision to withhold the newly discovered botulism gene sequence came after scientists consulted with federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, said Stephen Arnon, lead researcher of the paper and chief of the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention program at the state Department of Public Health.
Central to the departments decision is the fact that no antitoxin exists to treat an accidental or premeditated outbreak of the toxin. It takes roughly one to two years to develop an antitoxin.
The fear among some is that gene sequence information gleaned from published research could be used to develop a bioweapon that can be spread as an aerosol, resulting in many fatalities. Recent advances in technology have made it possible to reproduce such toxins, said David Relman, professor of medicine and microbiology at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
There is certainly more awareness of the possibility of doing harm not only of the means and capability of doing harm but also the fact that there seems to be more people who voice that kind of perspective and intention, said Relman.
Cloning a toxin would have been a fairly involved undertaking in 1970, whereas it is not so now, Relman said.
The recommendations from the federal government were clear on the potential risks of publishing the gene sequence, said Arnon. There was agreement among all involved in the discussions that it would be possible to publish this information to achieve the scientific and public health benefits of sharing the finding while safeguarding national security.
Originally posted here:
Bioterrorism concerns keep genetic code for new strain of botulism under wraps