Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Rapid Proliferation of Pandemic Research: Implications for Dual-Use Risks.
Musunuri, Sriharshita; Sandbrink, Jonas B; Monrad, Joshua Teperowski; Palmer, Megan J; Koblentz, Gregory D.
  • Musunuri S; Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.
  • Sandbrink JB; Future of Humanity Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
  • Monrad JT; Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
  • Palmer MJ; Future of Humanity Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
  • Koblentz GD; Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
mBio ; 12(5): e0186421, 2021 10 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1476393
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the world's vulnerability to biological catastrophe and elicited unprecedented scientific efforts. Some of this work and its derivatives, however, present dual-use risks (i.e., potential harm from misapplication of beneficial research) that have largely gone unaddressed. For instance, gain-of-function studies and reverse genetics protocols may facilitate the engineering of concerning SARS-CoV-2 variants and other pathogens. The risk of accidental or deliberate release of dangerous pathogens may be increased by large-scale collection and characterization of zoonotic viruses undertaken in an effort to understand what enables animal-to-human transmission. These concerns are exacerbated by the rise of preprint publishing that circumvents a late-stage opportunity for dual-use oversight. To prevent the next global health emergency, we must avoid inadvertently increasing the threat of future biological events. This requires a nuanced and proactive approach to dual-use evaluation throughout the research life cycle, including the conception, funding, conduct, and dissemination of research.
Subject(s)
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Containment of Biohazards / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Variants Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: MBio Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: MBio.01864-21

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Containment of Biohazards / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Variants Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: MBio Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: MBio.01864-21