The debate isn’t new. In 2014, President Obama suspended all research in the U.S. on GOF in viruses so pros and cons could be considered. The arguments on both sides are well expressed by Albert Osterhuis of Erasmus University: “You could create a monster. But it’s a monster that nature could produce as well.” Other scientists have called for alternatives to achieve the same result.
Professor Baric’s work at the time of the suspension was essentially grandfathered. In 2015, he and co-workers published an article describing a laboratory-synthesized coronavirus with the ability to jump from mammal to mammal. Translation: a coronavirus with a gain of function was created in his lab.
