3 ms·

So they specifically tried and succeeded to turn multiple virus' that didn't effect humans into ones that did? What is the purpose of doing that to begin with?

• foxyv 6y ago
  The usual purpose of these studies is to anticipate wild strains doing the same thing, to get ahead of pandemics, and develop vaccines before it spreads. Unfortunately it's a waste if you: Don't heed the research anticipating wild spread or publish results, don't develop a vaccine, and/or accidentally release your enhanced virus before a wild strain pops up.
  • thatguy0900 6y ago
    Has any virus actually been headed off with a vaccine already having been created in anticipation of the virus coming into existence eventually? That's really interesting Edit: and how useful would it be if it was? I was under the impression that covid vaccines were made extremely quickly and that it was regulatory issues that held it until now
    • foxyv 6y ago
      In the past, I think the research has been of limited use. However, speculating into the future, with the advances in vaccine development we could possibly see fruit from that sort of research. A lot of the bans on Gain of Function research has recently ended. Still, scary stuff!