Scientist wants bird flu data open
Mon, March 13, 2006, By CP

TORONTO -- An American scientist in genetic sequencing is calling on publicly funded U.S. researchers and research groups to throw open their collections of H5N1 avian flu viruses to allow others to work toward lessening the threat the virus poses.

Steven Salzberg wants researchers to place their virus sequence data in open-access databanks on an as-processed basis.

He hopes such a move would end a pattern of virus hoarding many believe is undermining the world's ability to battle H5N1.