June 22, 2012 | Lucy

Scientists have long been warning of a possible bird flu pandemic. Though it would depend on the virus mutating…

Bird flu is currently only transmitted by contact with an infected bird. Now a new study identifies what mutations would cause it to become an airborne infection. Publication of this research has been controversial because of fears that terrorists might use the information to make bioweapons.

But not making the information freely available could slow the development of drugs to treat and eradicate the disease.