Forbidding Science?
Balancing Freedom, Security, Innovation, & Precaution

January 12-13, 2006

Hosted by
The Center for the Study
of Law, Science & Innovation

College of Law
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona

This conference explored whether and how restrictions on scientific research should be imposed. Specific issues addressed included:

• Should controls on "dual use" technologies (used for positive and illegitimate purposes) be imposed at the research stage before the technologies are developed or at the application stage after the technology is available?
• How should the current regulatory framework for the control of research risks be modified to address health, safety, social, economic, and ethical concerns about emerging scientific fields?
• What can and should be the role of scientists in self-regulating scientific research?
• Is there a constitutional right to conduct scientific research in controversial areas?
• What is the role and utility of precaution, risk analysis, and technology assessment to foresee the risks of future technologies?
• What should be the role of the public and local governments in approving scientific research conducted in their communities?

Interdisciplinary panels of experts addressed these issues with the goal of providing some creative models and useful guidance on whether and how scientific research should be regulated.

Day 1 of the conference provided an overview of the issues and discussed the legal and policy context and the limitations of the "right" to conduct scientific research.

Day 2 focused on three case studies that specifically address current or emerging controversies about whether certain types of science should be restricted:

• Pathogen Research and Biosafety
• nanotechnology
• Cognitive Enhancement

January 12, 2006

January 13, 2006