Bioterrorism and ITEC

Question 1: The Mousepox Experiment Read the original report on the research that started the conversation on dual-use research in the New Scientist. Then read the lengthy interview with the scientists who performed the research. It is pretty rare to get a look at what happened after. There are many pivotal issues discussed in the interview that will echo through the course.  “Killer mousepox virus raises bioterror fears” New Scientist (10 January 2001):  Mousepox interview (2010) with Ronald Jackson and Iam Ramshaw Discussion question:  Consider the responsibility of the media and scientists involved in this issue. Should the article have raised these concerns? Should the research have been done? Take a position and argue it logically in 2-3 paragraphs. Question 2: The Horsepox Experiment Must post first. Horsepox: Read the various articles regarding this experiment below. You will find that much of the conversation on Mousepox is found here as well ... over a decade later.  Overview of the topic: Recreation of Horsepox virus:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5853490/– Michael J. Imperiale. A Holistic Assessment of the Risks and Benefits of the Synthesis of Horsepox Virus:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5853484/ – Diane DeIulis and Gigi Kwik Gronvall A Critical Analysis of the Scientific and Commercial Rationales for the De Novo Synthesis of Horsepox Virus:    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5853483/  – Gregory D. Koblentz To read the experiment itself, go here: Noyce RS, Lederman S, Evans DH. 2018. Construction of an infectious horsepox virus vaccine from chemically synthesized DNA fragments. PLoS One 13:e0188453. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0188453. Discussion question: In 2-3 short paragraphs, take a position on whether the scientific benefits outweighed the security risks of doing this research.  In the subsequent years, has there been a need for this research?