Covid Gain of function research in the USA

[Hawk_82]

Curious if you knew this was going on and what your thoughts are? early on in the pandemic there was a lot of discussion about gain of function research and is it ethical to perform.

Pretty scary stuff when you think about it. sounds like research in in Boston has created a covid virus that is significantly more dangerous than anything we have seen to date (this one kills 80% of infected mice). I dont believe this is being created for anything other than research purposes, however the danger is still very real if there was a lab leak in the usa.

 

[Nole Lou]

Curious if you knew this was going on and what your thoughts are? early on in the pandemic there was a lot of discussion about gain of function research and is it ethical to perform.

Pretty scary stuff when you think about it. sounds like research in in Boston has created a covid virus that is significantly more dangerous than anything we have seen to date (this one kills 80% of infected mice). I dont believe this is being created for anything other than research purposes, however the danger is still very real if there was a lab leak in the usa.

From what I have read, the fearmongering about that Boston research was kind of overblown. I guess the original Covid virus killed 100% of infected mice. The click baiting like they were working on a world-killing virus or something was more than what it justified.

However, it's still a conversation that should be had generally.

 

[ThorneStockton]

Did you know that the original covid virus that landed in Washington state killed 100% of mice?

The university in Boston combined the original covid virus and the omicron strain. Resulting in a virus that was less deadly than the original but more deadly than omicron.

Boston University COVID researchers combine omicron spike protein with original virus, test strain on mice

Boston University COVID researchers have combined the omicron variant spike protein with the original virus, testing the created strain on mice “to help fight against future pandemics,”…

www.bostonherald.com

 

[torbee]

I am glad US research institutions are conducting this work. The more we know, the better our preventative measures and treatments.

 

[seminole97]

However, it's still a conversation that should be had generally.

My preference would be, were it to be done, that it be done here, under the enhanced strictures put in place by the Obama administration, and not have the NIH launder money through outfits like EcoHealth Alliance to pay the Chinese to conduct experiments where even DARPA says, 'woah, that's shit's crazy!'

 

[TornadoHawk93]

My preference would be, were it to be done, that it be done here, under the enhanced strictures put in place by the Obama administration, and not have the NIH launder money through outfits like EcoHealth Alliance to pay the Chinese to conduct experiments where even DARPA says, 'woah, that's shit's crazy!'

Agreed.

 

[cigaretteman]

There was discussion of this a few days ago:

Boston University makes new Covid strain with 80 percent kill rate

iowa.forums.rivals.com

 

[Joes Place]

NYTPitchBot: "Boston University conducts Covid Gain-Of-Function Tests; Builds a Better Mousetrap"

 

[hexumhawk]

Curious if you knew this was going on and what your thoughts are? early on in the pandemic there was a lot of discussion about gain of function research and is it ethical to perform.

Pretty scary stuff when you think about it. sounds like research in in Boston has created a covid virus that is significantly more dangerous than anything we have seen to date (this one kills 80% of infected mice). I dont believe this is being created for anything other than research purposes, however the danger is still very real if there was a lab leak in the usa.

Yes, super great idea given the climate we live in today.