February 28, 2003

Journal Editors and Scientists Urge Caution in Publishing Data That Could Aid Terrorists

By LILA GUTERMAN

Thirty-two journal editors and biologists this month called for greater caution in reviewing and publishing scientific results that could be a security threat. The group released its statement at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science here.

The question of when and how to publish scholarly information that could be mined by terrorists or others seeking to do harm has intensified since the September 11 attacks and the anthrax deaths that followed.