Sep 06, 2013
The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, a Washington, DC,
group that works to limit the spread of nuclear, chemical, and
biological weapons, contends in a risk assessment report that "gain of
function" (GOF) research on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
viruses poses a serious risk of triggering a deadly flu outbreak.
The report attempts to estimate the risk of accidental infection of a lab worker and ensuing transmission of the virus to others on public transportation. It concludes that 1 year of research by one lab poses a risk of releasing a virus that would cause between 180 and 1,100 deaths, and that research by additional labs and for longer periods would multiply this risk.
The assessment was written by Lynn C. Klotz, senior science fellow at the center and a former Harvard professor and biotechnology executive. The report is one of very few attempts thus far to estimate the risk associated with research that involves manipulating highly pathogenic avian flu viruses such as H5N1 to make them more transmissible in mammals. A major aim of such experiments is to identify dangerous mutations so that scientists can watch for them in circulating viruses.
Continued: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2013/09/think-tank-sees-big-risks-flu-gain-function-research
The report attempts to estimate the risk of accidental infection of a lab worker and ensuing transmission of the virus to others on public transportation. It concludes that 1 year of research by one lab poses a risk of releasing a virus that would cause between 180 and 1,100 deaths, and that research by additional labs and for longer periods would multiply this risk.
The assessment was written by Lynn C. Klotz, senior science fellow at the center and a former Harvard professor and biotechnology executive. The report is one of very few attempts thus far to estimate the risk associated with research that involves manipulating highly pathogenic avian flu viruses such as H5N1 to make them more transmissible in mammals. A major aim of such experiments is to identify dangerous mutations so that scientists can watch for them in circulating viruses.
Continued: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2013/09/think-tank-sees-big-risks-flu-gain-function-research
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