3 ms·
The problem is, there's no real clinical benefit that comes out of gain of function research. Virologists claim that there is, but they can't point to examples
by bigDinosaur 5y ago
The problem is, there's no real clinical benefit that comes out of gain of function research. Virologists claim that there is, but they can't point to examples of where it helped us actually treat or prevent something.
Basically they're creating bigger and bigger fires and claiming that doing so somehow helps firefighters. Next we'll have nuclear weapons researchers claiming that higher yields are good to know about so we can work out how to protect against stronger explosions.
- R0b0t1 5y agoThe potential benefit is developing novel viruses. That's it. They will likely be infectious. Hopefully, ahem, your operating protocols prevent the release of that virus and you study it in model organisms to figure out metabolic pathways to fight it before such a real virus occurs naturally.
- bigDinosaur 5y agoI suppose I'm operating from the belief that everyone cares about preventing possible virologic doomsday weapons. I'm sure quite a few people have not the slightest concern.
- drran 5y agoSo, we need to do more research until we will find an ultimate weapon against viruses. As an alternative, we need to stop development of new viruses, both naturally and in labs, including Russian and North Korean labs.