27.04.2012

A controversial avian influenza study has cleared the final hurdle to publication, with the Dutch government granting the work an export permit. Dutch virologist Ron Fouchier confirmed he received notification on Friday that the government had cleared his study, meaning he can submit it to the U.S.-based journal Science. Fouchier had opposed the export-permit requirement and at one point vowed he would submit his manuscript without applying for one. But more recently he agreed to apply for the license, while protesting the need for it. The National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity recently reversed its position on the two papers, and the U.S. government lifted its objection to publication.

See: H5N1 study