Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC)

Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) is defined as:

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 National Institute of Health (NIH) has produced an eight-minute informational video to raise awareness and understanding about the issue of dual-use life sciences research.

DURC Oversight / Policy

The United States Government’s (USG) oversight of DURC is aimed at preserving the benefits of life sciences research while minimizing the risk of misuse of the knowledge, information, products, or technologies provided by such research. There are two USG policies that address the oversight of life sciences DURC:

DURC at CSU

Although few research activities at CSU would qualify as DURC under the definition in the Policy, CSU must comply with the USG Policy for Institutional Oversight of DURC where applicable. The Research Integrity & Compliance Review Office (RICRO) and the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), with assistance from the Office of Vice President for Research, have developed the CSU’s DURC policy. The effective date of the policy is September 24, 2015.

All research with DURC potential at CSU will be reviewed as outlined in the  SOP for IRE Review and Risk Mitigation Process. Several tools have been developed to assist investigator in assessing their work for DURC potential. These resources are available in .Docx format: 

Frequently Asked Questions about DURC at CSU

PIs must: 

  • Identify research involving one or more of the 15 agents and toxins listed in the Policy by filling out the appropriate AARF and PARF;
  • Work with the IRE to assess the risks and benefits of the dual use research of concern and to develop risk mitigation measures where appropriate;
  • Conduct DURC in accordance with the provisions in the risk mitigation plan;
  • Be knowledgeable about and comply with all institutional and Federal policies and requirements for oversight of DURC;
  • Ensure that laboratory personnel conducting life sciences research with any of the 15 agents and toxins listed in the Policy have received education and training on DURC; and
  • Communicate DURC in a responsible manner.

Strategies for mitigating DURC-associated risks may include (but are not limited to):

  • Applying specific biosecurity and/or biosafety measures
  • Developing a plan for monitoring the research for findings with additional DURC potential
  • Providing additional training to research staff regarding the specific risks related to the DURC
  • Changing the design or conduct of the research or not conducting certain aspects of the DURC
  • Developing plan for responsibly communicating the results of DURC

The IRE is the Institutional Review Entity responsible for reviewing research with DURC potential, as well as working with the PI to assess the risks and benefits of the DURC and to develop risk mitigation measures where appropriate. At CSU, our IBC serves as our IRE.

The ICDUR is the Institutional Contact for Dual Use Research and serves as an institutional point of contact for questions regarding compliance with and implementation of the requirements for the oversight of DURC as well as the liaison (as necessary) between the institution and the relevant USG funding agency.

At CSU, Rebecca Moritz, director of the Office of Research Collaboration and Compliance, serves as our ICDUR.

Resources

Questions

Questions about DURC can be directed to the IBC Coordinator