I think the idea is that the diseases are likely to become deadlier whether we do research or not, but by experimenting we are able to get ahead of it.
We don’t “improve” diseases to make them deadilier and then just release them. The point of gain of function research essentially boils down to “How quickly can this disease become a serious issue and what do we expect that to look like?” with covid, thanks to gain of function research we knew it would quickly mutate and decrease in severity and we could significantly reduce harm by slowing the spread until it got to the point it’s at today.
I have to say it again, I am not a virologist. I am just a middle-aged peckerwood from South Texas so please don’t take anything I say on the subject of H5N1 as fact. It’s just my understanding of how things work in a field I have very little connection to lol.
Gain of function tests are very controversial. IIRC there were a few SARS-CoV-1 leaks in Asia from GoF tests in 2004 or 05. People use those to argue against them. It can also be argued that GoF tests help us map out what mutations we should be watching for so there will be faster responses when they eventually occur. It can also help to advance vaccine research.
When they are done they destroy the mutated viruses or store nonviable samples in secured labs. The security and precautions, for the most part, keep it safe. Or so we are told lol
In the big picture GoF tests are a drop, what should scare the dick off you is reassortment. That happens on its own in the wild. The hits include H2N2, H3N2, H1N1, and H9N2. IIRC H9N2 is a top donor for internal genes and making it a superstar in the reassortments of all sorts of avian flu.
What is the point of gain of function research? Sounds unwise to devote resources to making deadly diseases deadlier.
I think the idea is that the diseases are likely to become deadlier whether we do research or not, but by experimenting we are able to get ahead of it.
That makes sense. As you might guess, I am not a scientist
We don’t “improve” diseases to make them deadilier and then just release them. The point of gain of function research essentially boils down to “How quickly can this disease become a serious issue and what do we expect that to look like?” with covid, thanks to gain of function research we knew it would quickly mutate and decrease in severity and we could significantly reduce harm by slowing the spread until it got to the point it’s at today.
Makes sense! Thank you for taking the time to summarize
I have to say it again, I am not a virologist. I am just a middle-aged peckerwood from South Texas so please don’t take anything I say on the subject of H5N1 as fact. It’s just my understanding of how things work in a field I have very little connection to lol.
Gain of function tests are very controversial. IIRC there were a few SARS-CoV-1 leaks in Asia from GoF tests in 2004 or 05. People use those to argue against them. It can also be argued that GoF tests help us map out what mutations we should be watching for so there will be faster responses when they eventually occur. It can also help to advance vaccine research.
When they are done they destroy the mutated viruses or store nonviable samples in secured labs. The security and precautions, for the most part, keep it safe. Or so we are told lol
In the big picture GoF tests are a drop, what should scare the dick off you is reassortment. That happens on its own in the wild. The hits include H2N2, H3N2, H1N1, and H9N2. IIRC H9N2 is a top donor for internal genes and making it a superstar in the reassortments of all sorts of avian flu.
Good luck
Sounds like I’ll need it! Good luck to you too!