The document, a presentation delivered by Wayne Thomann at the June 2012 COGR meeting, outlines Duke University's approach to overseeing dual use research of concern (DURC) through its Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). The presentation emphasizes the need to balance vigilance against misuse with the imperative to promote beneficial scientific research. It details the Duke IBC’s official responsibilities, including ensuring compliance with NIH guidelines for recombinant DNA research, adherence to federal and local requirements regarding select agents, and reviewing research with dual use potential. The committee's dual use oversight expanded beyond government policy to encompass all recombinant DNA and high-risk BSL3 research, including aspects of synthetic biology, reflecting a proactive stance on risk mitigation and researcher training.
The awareness plan initiated by Duke included training IBC members, increasing awareness among investigators, and a thoughtful assessment of both direct and incremental risks associated with research. Three case studies are presented to illustrate the committee's dual use review process: investigations into uropathogenic E. coli, tetanus toxin, and dengue virus adaptation, each highlighting the identification, discussion, and management of dual use potential. The presentation concludes that IBCs are capable of managing dual use risks effectively, even without formal regulation or a definitive consensus definition. It stresses that while principal investigators are not always equipped to self-identify dual use implications, awareness and training programs are instrumental. Overall, the administrative burden of dual use oversight is described as moderate, and while the benefits of such review systems are plausible, they remain largely unproven at this stage.
