Nightly News   |  December 20, 2011

Scientists told not to share deadly virus info

Scientists have created what many call the most dangerous virus, and now a government panel is telling them not to share the details with the world. NBC’s Robert Bazell reports.

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>>> we mentioned this earlier and we're back with an update on a scary possibility. the most dangerous virus possible, the government panel telling them not to share the details of it with the rest of the world . our report tonight from robert bazell .

>> reporter: one doctor explained why he created the virus. he took bird flu which seldom infects people and make it highly contagious in ferrets a model for human contagion. few people would have immunity, and it would kill 60% of those it affected, creating a horrible pandemic.

>> it's the most dangerous flu virus that's ever been created in the world.

>> reporter: a panel that advises the u.s. government took the step to ask two journals to remove the research from the paper, taking out critical details sony can't fall into the handses of terrorists.

>> i wish the work hadn't been done to begin with, but now that we're here, it makes the most sense. they did not consider how the research would be published. they say this is a lesson learned.

>> we'll be taking a closer look at what would happen if scenario a or b came about.

>> the journal's plan to publish the redacted versions in the next few months. this is one of the instances where scientific research open to all meets concerns about terrorism. robert bazell , nbc news, new york.