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That's not what what virologists mean when they say "gain of function." By that definition, almost all lab virology would be considered "gain-of-function." If y
by DiogenesKynikos 4y ago
That's not what what virologists mean when they say "gain of function." By that definition, almost all lab virology would be considered "gain-of-function." If you strictly regulated that, virtually all virology research would grind to a halt.
The gain-of-function debate began in the 2010s over a specific set of experiments that were done on influenza. The term is used to describe changes that render a virus that has the potential to become a pandemic more virulent or more transmissive.
- peteradio 4y agoSars-cov-2 is already a pandemic causing agent.
- COGlory 4y agoThis is the correct answer. GoF has, and has had for years, a very narrow and specific meaning when applied to virology. This is not some arbitrary meaning, but rather is used by funding and regulatory agencies to evaluate risk. Gain of function as described, has to increase the virulence of a potential human pandemic-causing pathogen. To those who might counter that this definition needs to be changed: I don't disagree, but until it is, scientists are going to grade themselves on the scales they are given by the funding and regulatory agencies.