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Does influenza pandemic preparedness and mitigation require gain-of-function research?
Dillon C Adam1, Daniel Magee2,3, Chau M Bui1
1School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses
|May 15, 2017
Summary
Gain-of-function research on influenza A poses significant biosecurity risks. Despite potential pandemic preparedness benefits, the advantages of these studies have not yet been realized.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Public Health
- Biosecurity
Background:
- Gain-of-function (GOF) research on influenza A viruses, particularly H5N1, has been debated since 2012.
- Methods enabling enhanced transmissibility in influenza strains raise concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of the background and applications of GOF research.
- To evaluate the realized benefits against the inherent risks of GOF studies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and published methodologies.
- Analysis of the arguments for and against GOF research.
Main Results:
- The potential benefits of GOF research for pandemic surveillance and preparedness remain largely theoretical.
- Significant biosecurity risks associated with creating highly transmissible influenza strains persist.
Conclusions:
- The risks of GOF research on influenza A currently outweigh the demonstrated benefits.
- Further evaluation is needed to determine if the potential advantages can be achieved safely.
