Bird Flu Research Risks - NYTimes.com Re "The Latest on the Doomsday Virus" (editorial, April 22): The decision by the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity to reverse its previously unanimous recommendation to restrict publication of H5N1 bird flu experiments is understandable. Reassurance from one scientist involved in the work that the virus wasn't so threatening after all and a slam dunk briefing from unidentified intelligence officials refuted prior reservations. Such starkly divergent outcomes leave the distinct impression of a chaotic system. Unable to either view the evidence or weigh the uncertainties, the public entrusts experts and officials to create mechanisms allowing biosecurity questions to be decided wisely. To maintain public confidence, these decision-making processes must be objective, consistent and free from the influence of special interests. Identifying all individuals possessing the privilege and responsibility to provide the advisory board with the best information available will be a vital step toward a more reliable process. The writer is a professor of microbiology at Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine.