Dual Use Research of Concern Oversight Policy Framework

S3: Science Safety Security 
 

According to the 2012 Federal DURC Policy, dual use research of concern (DURC) is 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 has published several policies relevant to DURC, with the intention of raising awareness and limiting the potential for misuse of scientific information derived from life sciences research.

On September 24, 2014, the United States government released the United States Government Policy for Institutional Oversight of Life Sciences Dual Use Research of Concern (2014 Institutional DURC Policy). The policy addresses institutional oversight of DURC, which includes policies, practices, and procedures to ensure DURC is identified and appropriate risk mitigation measures are implemented, where applicable. Institutional oversight of DURC is a critical component of a comprehensive oversight system because institutions are most familiar with the life sciences research conducted in their facilities and are in the best position to promote and strengthen responsible conduct and communication.

This policy and the 2012 Federal DURC Policy, which focuses on the role of federal agencies, are complementary and emphasize a culture of responsibility by reminding all involved parties of the shared duty to uphold the integrity of science and prevent its misuse. The scope of the 2012 and 2014 DURC policies are limited to a well-defined subset of life sciences research that involves 15 agents and toxins and seven categories of experiments.

Research institutions are mindful that research outside of the scope articulated in these policies may also constitute DURC. Institutions have the discretion to consider other categories of research for DURC potential and may expand their internal oversight to other types of life sciences research as they deem appropriate, but such expansion would not be subject to federal oversight as articulated in these policies.

In 2024 a new U.S. Government Policy for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (DURC/PEPP) was developed. In compliance with the Executive Order on "Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research," federal departments and agencies will revise or replace the 2024 DURC/PEPP policy.