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Risky ‘gain-of-function’ studies need stricter guidance, say US researchers
- sklargh 4y agoIs there a reliable base rate for accidental lab releases and near-misses. I really wish we had better data on how often accidents occur. Even with that I struggle how to use base rate analysis here. Depending on how heated up a a pathogen is a simple error or rogue employee (Ft. Detrick) could doom a significant fraction of humanity. Is the juice worth the squeeze? Doesn’t feel like it. Gain of function research does not strike me as particularly distinct from of bioweapons research, though (hopefully) the intent is different.