Virology under the Microscope-a Call for Rational Discourse.
mBio
; 14(1): e0018823, 2023 02 28.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2223573
ABSTRACT
Viruses have brought humanity many challenges respiratory infection, cancer, neurological impairment and immunosuppression to name a few. Virology research over the last 60+ years has responded to reduce this disease burden with vaccines and antivirals. Despite this long history, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented attention to the field of virology. Some of this attention is focused on concern about the safe conduct of research with human pathogens. A small but vocal group of individuals has seized upon these concerns - conflating legitimate questions about safely conducting virus-related research with uncertainties over the origins of SARS-CoV-2. The result has fueled public confusion and, in many instances, ill-informed condemnation of virology. With this article, we seek to promote a return to rational discourse. We explain the use of gain-of-function approaches in science, discuss the possible origins of SARS-CoV-2 and outline current regulatory structures that provide oversight for virological research in the United States. By offering our expertise, we - a broad group of working virologists - seek to aid policy makers in navigating these controversial issues. Balanced, evidence-based discourse is essential to addressing public concern while maintaining and expanding much-needed research in virology.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Respiratory Tract Infections
/
Viruses
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
Topics:
Long Covid
/
Vaccines
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
MBio
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Mbio.00188-23
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