This book examines the life-science experiments that give rise to the dual-use dilemma. It therefore addresses a topic of tremendous contemporary importance. This is the first book-length treatment of the subject by professional ethicists.

What Is the Dual-Use Dilemma? The so-called dual-use dilemma arises in the context of research in the biological and other sciences as a consequence of the fact that one and the same piece of sci- tific research sometimes has the potential to be used for harm as well as for good. A dual-use dilemma is an ethical dilemma, and an ethical dilemma for the researcher (and for those who have the power or authority to assist or impede the researcher's work, e. g. , governments). It is an ethical dilemma since it is about promoting good in the context of the potential for also causing harm, e. g. , the p- motion of health in the context of providing the wherewithal for the killing of in- cents. It is an ethical dilemma for the researcher not because he or she is aiming at anything other than a good outcome; typically, the researcher intends no harm, but only good. Rather, the dilemma arises for the researcher because of the potential actions of others. Malevolent non-researchers might steal dangerous biological agents produced by the researcher; alternatively, other researchersor at least their governments or leadershipmight use the results of the original researcher's work for malevolent purposes. The malevolent purposes in question include bioterrorism, biowarfare and blackmail for financial gain.

Addresses a topic of tremendous contemporary importance Addresses controversial topics such as biological weapons, academic/scientific freedom, and censorship The dual-use dilemma is undoubtedly one of the most important and controversial issues in current debates about bioterrorism Lays out the dilemma that scientists and policymakers are faced with as a result The first thoroughgoing book-length treatment of the topic by professional ethicists Challenges, and offers an alternative perspective to, the hugely influential U.S. National Research Council position on the dual-use dilemma

Autorentext
Seumas Miller is Foundation Director of the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics and Professor of Philosophy at Charles Sturt University and the Australian National University.

Klappentext

The dual-use dilemma arises in the context of research in the biological and other sciences as a consequence of the fact that one and the same piece of scientific research sometimes has the potential to be used for harmful as well as good purposes. Discoveries that may lead to important advances in science and medicine might therefore also facilitate development of biological weapons of mass destruction. Scientists should be aware of the ways in which their well-intentioned research could be misused by others - and they should sometimes avoid research projects when the potential for harmful misuse is great. Policy makers must make tough choices about the extent to which the dual-use nature of research might justify increased oversight, regulation, and perhaps even censorship of science.

This book examines the kinds of life-science experiments that give rise to the dual-use dilemma and provides philosophical analysis of the ethical issues and policy options surrounding dual-use research. Though the dual-use dilemma is an ethical issue, the vast majority of literature on the topic thus far has been written by scientists and security experts: this is the first book-length treatment of the topic by professional ethicists. It also challenges, and offers an alternative perspective to, the hugely influential U.S. National Research Council position on the dual-use dilemma.

Inhalt
Experiments of Concern.- The Ethics of Dual-Use Research.- Dissemination of Dual-Use Research Results.- Options for the Regulation of Dual-Use Experiments and Information.