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International Standard Book Number-13: 978-0-309-27742-6
International Standard Book Number-10: 0-309-27742-6
Digital Object Identifier: https://doi.org/10.17226/26466

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Suggested citation: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Addressing Inaccurate and Misleading Information About Biological Threats Through Scientific Collaboration and Communication in Southeast Asia. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/26466.

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COMMITTEE ON ADDRESSING INACCURATE AND MISLEADING INFORMATION ABOUT BIOLOGICAL THREATS THROUGH SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION

DIETRAM A. SCHEUFELE (Co-Chair), Taylor-Bascom Chair and Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor, University of Wisconsin–Madison

ABHI VEERAKUMARASIVAM (Co-Chair), Dean and Professor, Sunway University

DAVID B. ALLISON, Dean, Distinguished Professor, and Provost Professor, Indiana University Bloomington

SONIA BEN OUAGRHAM-GORMLEY, Associate Professor, George Mason University

CHAI LAY CHING, Senior Lecturer, Centre of Research Services, University of Malaysia

GIOVANNI LUCA CIAMPAGLIA, Assistant Professor, University of South Florida

JEANNE MARIE FAIR, Scientist, Los Alamos National Laboratory

LE THI THU HIEN, Associate Professor, Deputy Director, Institute of Genome Research, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology

PAMELA J. HINDS, Fortinet Founders Chair and Professor, Stanford University

SHIRLEY S. HO, Professor, Nanyang Technological University

REBECCA L. MORITZ, Biosafety Director, Colorado State University

WIBOOL PIYAWATTANAMETHA, Professor, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang

GAVIN SMITH, Programme Director (Interim) and Professor, Duke-NUS Medical School Singapore (until December 2021)

HERAWATI SUDOYO, Indonesia Academy of Sciences

SEEMA YASMIN, Director, Stanford Health Communication Initiative; Clinical Assistant Professor, Stanford University Department of Medicine; and Visiting Assistant Professor, University of California, Los Angeles, Anderson School of Management

Study Staff

KAVITA M. BERGER, Study Co-Director; Board Director, Board on Life Sciences

JENELL WALSH-THOMAS, Study Co-Director (until February 2022); Program Officer, Board on Human-Systems Integration

JESSICA DE MOUY, Research Associate, Board on Life Sciences

DAISHA WALSTON, Program Assistant, Board on Life Sciences

SELAM ARAIA, Senior Program Assistant (until November 2021), Board on Mathematical Sciences and Analytics

ANDREA HODGSON, Study Director (until June 2021), Senior Program Officer, Board on Life Sciences

TOBY WARDEN, Board Director (until June 2021), Board on Human-Systems Integration

KOSSANA YOUNG, Senior Program Assistant (until June 2021), Board on Life Sciences

Research Center Contributors

ANNE MARIE HOUPPERT, Senior Librarian

CHRISTOPHER LAO-SCOTT, Senior Librarian

Reviewers

This Consensus Study Report was reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in making each published report as sound as possible and to ensure that it meets the institutional standards for quality, objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process.

We thank the following individuals for their review of this report:

Although the reviewers listed above provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the conclusions or recommendations of this report nor did they see the final draft before its release. The review of this report was overseen by JENNIFER OLSEN, Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, and GEORGES BENJAMIN, American Public Health Association. They were responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with the standards of the National Academies and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content rests entirely with the authoring committee and the National Academies.

Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ADDRESSING INACCURATE AND MISLEADING INFORMATION ABOUT BIOLOGICAL THREATS THROUGH SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Building a Trusted Scientific Network: The Strategy

Compounding Threats of False Information and Infectious Diseases and Other Biological Threats

Scientists as Part of the Solution

Strategy of the Trusted Network of Scientists

Network Structures Considered in the Study

Regional Considerations

Network Influence

Interventions Against Inaccurate and Misleading Information: What We Know and What We Do Not Know

Determining Whether and How to Address Misinformation Claims

Understanding Uncertainty in Correcting Inaccurate and Misleading Information

Conclusions

References

APPENDIXES

A COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDAS

B BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Boxes and Figures

BOXES

1 Statement of Task

2 Values and Characteristics of the Trusted Scientific Network

3 National Academies’ Reports on Science Communication

FIGURES

1 Illustration of recommended strategy, vision, and tactics for the trusted scientific network

2 Questions for scientists when determining communication approaches with various stakeholders including scientists, policymakers, journalists, and members of the public as they work toward a greater understanding of accurate, evidence-supported scientific information