Dual Use Research in the Biomedical Sciences

Scientific research benefits society in many ways. The knowledge generated by science has practical applications in medicine, public health, engineering, industry, transportation, navigation, communication, education, public policy, and numerous other aspects of human life. However, knowledge can also be used to cause harm to individuals, society, and the environment. The knowledge used to build a nuclear reactor may also be used to build nuclear weapons; the knowledge used to launch a rocket to the moon may also be used to guide a missile to kill innocent civilians; and the knowledge used to develop a vaccine might also be used to make a bioweapon.