Microbiomi

Come era prevedibile, gli autori dei due studi sui ceppi mutati del virus dell’influenza aviaria H5N1 hanno aderito alla proposta di una moratoria temporanea degli esperimenti. Come illustrato in un comunicato¹ co-firmato da altri 36 ricercatori del settore, si ritiene che un forum internazionale sia la circostanza più adatta per una discussione sui benefici di questo tipo di ricerche e sulle misure necessarie per garantire che vengano condotte in assoluta sicurezza.

We recognize that we and the rest of the scientific community need to clearly explain the benefits of this important research and the measures taken to minimize its possible risks. We propose to do so in an international forum in which the scientific community comes together to discuss and debate these issues.

We realize that organizations and governments around the world need time to find the best solutions for opportunities and challenges that stem from the work. To provide time for these discussions, we have agreed on a voluntary pause of 60 days on any research involving highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses leading to the generation of viruses that are more transmissible in mammals.

In addition, no experiments with live H5N1 or H5 HA reassortant viruses already shown to be transmissible in ferrets will be conducted during this time. We will continue to assess the transmissibility of H5N1 influenza viruses that emerge in nature and pose a continuing threat to human health.

Resta ora da vedere se saranno sufficienti 60 giorni per l’ideazione ed applicazione di una nuova regolamentazione del settore.