Casting a shadow over this controversy is the fact that, even if gain-of-function research to make pathogens more deadly were internationally outlawed, it's almost certain that there will be governments that will continue or initiate such research in secret, ignoring any international law, in order to develop new and more effective bio-weapons.
Casting a shadow over this controversy is the fact that, even if gain-of-function research to make pathogens more deadly were internationally outlawed, it's almost certain that there will be governments that will continue or initiate such research in secret, ignoring any international law, in order to develop new and more effective bio-weapons.
My response to those who say governments would be insane to do that dangerous research (with which I would agree), is that they would justify their research by saying (at least to themselves) that they must do so in order to develop vaccines and cures to prepare for the possibility that their enemies may secretly conduct such illegal gain-of-function experiments if they themselves don't. The same thing happened with development of nuclear weapons that could cause extinction of all human life.
An overriding all our efforts to prevent such research is the experience of humanity that it's impossible to stop scientific research in any area by outlawing it. "If we don't do it someone else will" has, so far, always proven true.
Casting a shadow over this controversy is the fact that, even if gain-of-function research to make pathogens more deadly were internationally outlawed, it's almost certain that there will be governments that will continue or initiate such research in secret, ignoring any international law, in order to develop new and more effective bio-weapons.
My response to those who say governments would be insane to do that dangerous research (with which I would agree), is that they would justify their research by saying (at least to themselves) that they must do so in order to develop vaccines and cures to prepare for the possibility that their enemies may secretly conduct such illegal gain-of-function experiments if they themselves don't. The same thing happened with development of nuclear weapons that could cause extinction of all human life.
An overriding all our efforts to prevent such research is the experience of humanity that it's impossible to stop scientific research in any area by outlawing it. "If we don't do it someone else will" has, so far, always proven true.