Abstract
Biological research is considered ‘dual-use’ in nature if the methodologies, materials, or results could be used to cause harm. Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) is a small subset of life sciences research that, based on current understanding, can be reasonably anticipated to provide knowledge, information, products, or technologies that could be directly misapplied to pose a significant threat with broad potential consequences to public health and safety, agricultural crops and other plants, animals, the environment, materiel, or national security. The United States Government Policy for Institutional Oversight of Life Sciences Dual Use Research of Concern is aimed at preserving the benefits of life sciences research while minimizing the risk of misuse of the knowledge, information, products, or technologies provided by such research. For further information, please visit the NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP) webpage on Dual Use Research of Concern. Additional resources on DURC are available on the HHS Science Safety and Security (S3) website.
