Thrown in the Deep End: The Dual-Use Saga.

Abstract

This reflection shares insights from a biosafety professional's experience managing dual-use research challenges. It emphasizes the importance of proactive communication, teamwork, and transparency. In responding to high-profile, ethically complex projects involving potential pandemic pathogens, I discuss the evolving role of biosafety professionals in ensuring safety and ethical oversight while supporting scientific progress. Key lessons include the need for a proactive approach to science communication, a resilient mindset, and strategic team collaboration. Managing public scrutiny and navigating confidentiality issues underscored the necessity for transparency to foster public trust. The experience also revealed the value of biosafety professionals as essential partners in research who contribute to policy discussions and should be consulted to shape effective, responsible research practices. These lessons emphasize the need for continuous improvement in biosafety practices, promoting proactive, integrated support systems within research institutions to effectively manage complex biosafety and biosecurity challenges.