Rethinking Gain-of-Function Experiments in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Michael J. Imperiale, Arturo Casadevall
Abstract
Proponents of the use of gain-of-function (GOF) experiments with pathogens with pandemic potential (PPP) have argued that such experiments are necessary because they reveal important facets of pathogenesis and can be performed safely. Opponents of GOF experiments with PPP have argued that the risks outweigh the knowledge gained. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the vulnerability of human societies to a new PPP, while also validating some arguments of both camps, questioning others, and suggesting the need to rethink how we approach this class of experiments.
Topics & Concepts
PandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Context (archaeology)Gain of function2019-20 coronavirus outbreakFunction (biology)Vulnerability (computing)VirologyPolitical scienceMedicineComputer scienceBiologyComputer securityInfectious disease (medical specialty)DiseaseOutbreakMutationGenePaleontologyBiochemistryPathologyEvolutionary biologyCOVID-19 epidemiological studiesSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research