Gain Of Function Research Lives!

Is Boston University doing gain of function research?

Ever hear of Gain of Function? It’s rearing it’s ugly head at Boston University.

Gain of Function, when referred to in context with viruses, means the original virus has other elements added to the original strain to make the disease stronger, more lethal. Last week researchers at Boston University experimenting with the Omicron variant added a spike protein to the original Wuhan strain and this combination produced an 80% kill rate in mice.

The push back came fast and furious. While BU announced this study itself, in the days that followed,it hastily began to drastically modify it. While the researchers said that the new strain has more than five times more infectious particles than the omicron variant, but the university replied to the contrary, the replicated strain was less dangerous than the original strain, and furthermore, was not gain-of-function research. Twitter was ablaze with comments, some from other scientists, questioning the need for such studies, others were from regular folks and most were highly critical of the study. I am quite sure we will be hearing more about this in the coming days. Next time.

Oct. 24, 2022