For the first time in history, a U.S. government advisory board has asked scientific journals not to publish scientific findings, for fear the information could be used by terrorist groups to construct lethal viruses and kick off worldwide epidemics. The National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, overseen by the National Institute of Health, has asked Nature and Science to leave out the details of a study conducted in the Netherlands and the United States. The study led to the creation of a highly transmissible form of a deadly flu virus. The virus, officially known as A(H5N1), causes bird flu. It doesn’t typically transfer between humans, but when it does, it is exceptionally deadly. Scientists have worried that if the virus did develop the capacity to easily pass from person to person, it could lead to one of the most catastrophic pandemics ever. The panel says the scientists should publish the conclusion of their findings, but omit certain details that would allow the experiments to be recreated. Bruce Alpert, editor of Science, noted that the findings revealed that the virus could be more easily evolved into a dangerous state than previously believed and could be spread through the air. Scientists say they will probably withhold some information if the government provides a way for legitimate researchers to information.