Ethical and Philosophical Considerations for Gain-of-Function Policy: The Importance of Alternate Experiments
gain-of-function, Biosecurity, Dual use research, biosafety, highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, coronavirus
The Department of Health and Human Services Framework for Guiding Funding Decisions about Proposed Research Involving Enhanced Potential Pandemic Pathogens (PPPs) contains a series of principles for governing the funding and conduct of gain-of-function (GOF) research resulting in the creation of PPPs. In this article, I address one of these principles, governing the replacement of GOF research with alternate experiments. I argue that the principle fails to address the way that different experiments can promote the same values as those promoted by GOF research resulting in PPPs. I then address some objections to this claim, and provide policy recommendations moving forward.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology