The debate around gain-of-function research

The debate around gain-of-function research

Subject: Science & tech

Context: With the re-emergence of the lab-leak origin theory for the SARS-CoV-2, questions are also being raised on what gain-of-function research is, and whether the benefits of conducting such research outweigh the risk of pathogens escaping from labs.

Concept:

• Gain-of-function research refers to the serial passaging of microorganisms to increase their transmissibility, virulence, immunogenicity, and host tropism by applying selective pressure to a culture.
• These experiments are termed ‘gain of function’ because they involve manipulating pathogens in a way that they gain an advantage in or through a function, such as increased transmissibility.
• Such experiments allow scientists to better predict emerging infectious diseases, and to develop vaccines and therapeutics.
• Gain of function research may use genetic engineering or serial passaging.
• Genetic engineering involves ‘editing’ the genetic code to modify the virus in a way predetermined by the scientists.
• Meanwhile, serial passaging involves allowing the pathogen to grow under different circumstances and then observing the changes.
• For example, the pathogen may first be grown in one environment, and then a portion of it may be taken and allowed to grow in different sets of controlled environments.
• The process is continuously repeated, and the final product is compared to the original pathogen to understand how the microbe changed its genetic code.