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Mersenne list members might be interested in this upcoming seminar at the Centre for Science, Technology and Medicine, King’s College London. http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/history/research/ressemsci.aspx History of Science, Technology and Medicine Seminar Department of History, King’s College London Wednesday 4 Dec: 5-6.30pm in S8.08, Strand Building Prof Donald Avery, University of Western Ontario "Should influenza be considered a biological weapon? A historical and contemporary debate This paper will explore a number of themes relating to the question--should influenza be regarded as a major biological warfare threat? First, there is the legacy of the enormous loss of life associated with the 1918-19 Spanish Flu pandemic, which was often cited during subsequent influenza outbreaks, including the World Health Organization’s 2009 response to the 2009 Swine Flu (H1Ni) pandemic. Second, during the Cold War bioweapons experts of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom considered weaponizing influenza, as part of their joint offensive strategies in deterring a Soviet bioattack. Third, public health and civil defence concerns over the linkages between bioterrorism and pandemics became more intense after 9/11, as exemplified by the 2007 US Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act. Finally, there is growing concern that recent gain of function research on Avian Influenza (H5N1 & H7N9) might have disastrous unintended consequences, either because of serious laboratory accidents, or by facilitating bioterrorist activities. Donald Avery is Professor of History (Emeritus) at Western University, Canada. He is the author of six books including his recent publication Pathogens for War: Biological Weapons, Canadian Life Scientists and North American Biodefence (University of Toronto Press, 2013). All are welcome. Dr Michael Bresalier Wellcome Research Fellow Department of History King's College London Strand London WC2R 2LS [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/history/people/staff/academic/bresalierm.aspx http://kcl.academia.edu/MichaelBresalier Dr Michael Bresalier Wellcome Research Fellow Department of History King's College London Strand London WC2R 2LS [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/history/people/staff/academic/bresalierm.aspx http://kcl.academia.edu/MichaelBresalier