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The conspiracy theory (at this point, is it even one?) is that they want to create a virus that targets only certain ethnic group, like SARS2 did to some extent

The conspiracy theory (at this point, is it even one?) is that they want to create a virus that targets only certain ethnic group, like SARS2 did to some extent, or at least being a able to have the vaccine before everyone else, which also happened to some extent. Because otherwise there are no valid reasons to create this kind of pathogens in labs; the chance the bugs created there will be similar to the naturally occurring ones are basically none and even less so that the vaccines or treatment will be or remain efficient treatment.

rcpt 5y ago
> they want to create a virus that targets only certain ethnic group Ok that is totally made up. There are plenty of reasons that researchers make dangerous pathogens that have nothing to do with ethnic cleansing. Some of these methods even get published despite the risks that the knowledge presents https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2012.10875 https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2012.10875
- mattcwilson 5y ago
  Can you explain what you mean by “totally made up?” Are you saying literally no one at all wants this? Just that there are also other reasons to do the research? Something else?
  - nicoburns 5y ago
    I think that the covid pandemic is highly unlikely to be the result of such research. It's much more likely to be the result of research into how to prevent future pandemics and treat coronaviruses.
    - mattcwilson 5y ago
      Ok, I think that’s reasonable. At the level of individual research directors, I agree that probably the large majority of them have good intentions. My concern is that there aren’t just altruistic research directors. There are funders. There are politicians. There are militaries. There are covert agents. And I get really concerned how easy it is for actors with less savory, noble intentions to coopt naive researchers into participating in a larger agenda. It’s super convenient for everyone to be able to have the plucky, innocent, earnest research director come out with shining optimism about the potential. And it’s a convenient reason not to totally slam the brakes on research that, for better or worse, may lead (may have led) to global pandemic.
- blurbleblurble 5y ago
  Not sure what the GP's point was but I'll just point out that there is literally a conspiracy theory being circulated right now that says just that. It's being used in Russia to justify the war in Ukraine.
- TeeMassive 5y ago
  > Ok that is totally made up. https://guardian.ng/features/health/bioweapons-designed-to-kill-only-people-of-particular-race/ https://guardian.ng/features/health/bioweapons-designed-to-k... "A new report from Cambridge University’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk says that world governments have failed when it comes to preparing against threats like futuristic bioweapons powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and genetic manipulation. Such weapons would have to power to target specific DNA, and kill certain races of people leaving other swaths of the population unharmed." Additional information from a biochemist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjfvHOcfEUQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjfvHOcfEUQ > There are plenty of reasons that researchers make dangerous pathogens that have nothing to do with ethnic cleansing. Such as? The article you posted merely states that it is possible and that they "wish" it will lead to more vaccine research, without saying how.
- TrispusAttucks 5y ago
  This was a thing a few years ago. There were alleged leaks from a whistle-blower from the CCP regarding developing bio-weapons that targeted specific gene sequences attributed to certain ethnicities.
s1artibartfast 5y ago
>no valid reasons to create this kind of pathogens in labs; the chance the bugs created there will be similar to the naturally occurring ones are basically none and even less so that the vaccines or treatment will be or remain efficient treatment. This is literally the purpose of gain of function virology research. Modify bugs in ways that could be seen in nature and explore vaccines and treatments.
- TeeMassive 5y ago
  > Modify bugs in ways that could be seen in nature and explore vaccines and treatments. There are no reasons to believe the mutants created in laboratories will arise in nature nor that the vaccines or treatments will be effective compared to what nature does. Added to the fact that GOF research never produced any kind of meaningful treatment or response so far and given how they are dangerous and leaks happen all the time; they should be outright banned.
  - s1artibartfast 5y ago
    This is where it becomes more sinister. You have to consider that other countries are doing the same research, and developing super bugs that only they have the treatment for
  - lupire 5y ago
    Gain of function isn't about predicting future natural mutations. It's about generating virus that can be used in dish and animal model studies, often blending features of existing viruses.
  - rvba 5y ago
    They are banned. It is bioweapons research but under a different name.
- upsidesinclude 5y ago
  And, frankly, the purpose does not make it valid. The research should not be done because it has not proven to provide beneficial treatments.

rcpt 5y ago

> they want to create a virus that targets only certain ethnic group Ok that is totally made up. There are plenty of reasons that researchers make dangerous pathogens that have nothing to do with ethnic cleansing. Some of these methods even get published despite the risks that the knowledge presents https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2012.10875 https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2012.10875

mattcwilson 5y ago
Can you explain what you mean by “totally made up?” Are you saying literally no one at all wants this? Just that there are also other reasons to do the research? Something else?
- nicoburns 5y ago
  I think that the covid pandemic is highly unlikely to be the result of such research. It's much more likely to be the result of research into how to prevent future pandemics and treat coronaviruses.
  - mattcwilson 5y ago
    Ok, I think that’s reasonable. At the level of individual research directors, I agree that probably the large majority of them have good intentions. My concern is that there aren’t just altruistic research directors. There are funders. There are politicians. There are militaries. There are covert agents. And I get really concerned how easy it is for actors with less savory, noble intentions to coopt naive researchers into participating in a larger agenda. It’s super convenient for everyone to be able to have the plucky, innocent, earnest research director come out with shining optimism about the potential. And it’s a convenient reason not to totally slam the brakes on research that, for better or worse, may lead (may have led) to global pandemic.
blurbleblurble 5y ago
Not sure what the GP's point was but I'll just point out that there is literally a conspiracy theory being circulated right now that says just that. It's being used in Russia to justify the war in Ukraine.
TeeMassive 5y ago
> Ok that is totally made up. https://guardian.ng/features/health/bioweapons-designed-to-kill-only-people-of-particular-race/ https://guardian.ng/features/health/bioweapons-designed-to-k... "A new report from Cambridge University’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk says that world governments have failed when it comes to preparing against threats like futuristic bioweapons powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and genetic manipulation. Such weapons would have to power to target specific DNA, and kill certain races of people leaving other swaths of the population unharmed." Additional information from a biochemist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjfvHOcfEUQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjfvHOcfEUQ > There are plenty of reasons that researchers make dangerous pathogens that have nothing to do with ethnic cleansing. Such as? The article you posted merely states that it is possible and that they "wish" it will lead to more vaccine research, without saying how.
TrispusAttucks 5y ago
This was a thing a few years ago. There were alleged leaks from a whistle-blower from the CCP regarding developing bio-weapons that targeted specific gene sequences attributed to certain ethnicities.

s1artibartfast 5y ago

>no valid reasons to create this kind of pathogens in labs; the chance the bugs created there will be similar to the naturally occurring ones are basically none and even less so that the vaccines or treatment will be or remain efficient treatment. This is literally the purpose of gain of function virology research. Modify bugs in ways that could be seen in nature and explore vaccines and treatments.

TeeMassive 5y ago
> Modify bugs in ways that could be seen in nature and explore vaccines and treatments. There are no reasons to believe the mutants created in laboratories will arise in nature nor that the vaccines or treatments will be effective compared to what nature does. Added to the fact that GOF research never produced any kind of meaningful treatment or response so far and given how they are dangerous and leaks happen all the time; they should be outright banned.
- s1artibartfast 5y ago
  This is where it becomes more sinister. You have to consider that other countries are doing the same research, and developing super bugs that only they have the treatment for
- lupire 5y ago
  Gain of function isn't about predicting future natural mutations. It's about generating virus that can be used in dish and animal model studies, often blending features of existing viruses.
- rvba 5y ago
  They are banned. It is bioweapons research but under a different name.
upsidesinclude 5y ago
And, frankly, the purpose does not make it valid. The research should not be done because it has not proven to provide beneficial treatments.