title: Gain-of-function experiments: time for a real debate.
abstract: According to the WHO, dual use research of concern (DURC) is "life sciences research that is intended for benefit, but which might easily be misapplied to do harm". Recent studies, particularly those on influenza viruses, have led to renewed attention on DURC, as there is an ongoing debate over whether the benefits of gain-of-function (GOF) experiments that result in an increase in the transmission and/or pathogenicity of potential pandemic pathogens (PPPs) are outweighed by concerns over biosecurity and biosafety. In this Viewpoint article, proponents and opponents of GOF experiments discuss the benefits and risks associated with these studies, as well as the implications of the current debate for the scientific community and the general public, and suggest how the current discussion should move forward.
authors.affiliation: Boston University School of Medicine and the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA.
authors.forename: W Paul
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Duprex
authors.affiliation: Department of Viroscience of Erasmus MC Rotterdam, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ron A M
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Fouchier
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Imperiale
authors.affiliation: Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lipsitch
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medicine, and of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University, California 94305, USA; and at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Relman
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000472:pathogenicity; D058873:Pandemics / Q000517:prevention & control; D010641:Phenotype; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment