Abstract
The risk and benefits of gain‐of‐function studies on influenza A have been widely debated since 2012 when the methods to create two respiratory transmissible H5N1 mutant isolates were published. Opponents of gain‐of‐function studies argue the biosecurity risk is unacceptable, while proponents cite potential uses for pandemic surveillance, preparedness and mitigation. In this commentary, we provide an overview of the background and applications of gain‐of‐function research and argue that the anticipated benefits have yet to materialize while the significant risks remain.
Highlights
Within the last century, humanity has faced three devastating human influenza pandemics: H1N1 in 1918, H2N2 in 1957 and H3N2 in 1968.1 Collectively, these three pandemics are estimated to have resulted in approximately 46 million deaths and over 500 million infections.[2]
As a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus with unprecedented endemicity in birds and high mortality, many have postulated that H5N1 may be the source of the human influenza pandemic.[12,13,14]
Using H5N1 as a case study, we review the role of gain-of-function (GOF) research as a tool for surveillance of pre-pandemic influenza A
Summary
Does influenza pandemic preparedness and mitigation require gain-of-function research?. Funding information National Health and Medical Research Council, Grant/Award Number: 1107393; Plus Alliance UNSW, Grant/Award Number: RG162277. The risk and benefits of gain-o f-function studies on influenza A have been widely debated since 2012 when the methods to create two respiratory transmissible H5N1 mutant isolates were published. Opponents of gain-of-function studies argue the biosecurity risk is unacceptable, while proponents cite potential uses for pandemic surveillance, preparedness and mitigation. In this commentary, we provide an overview of the background and applications of gain-of-function research and argue that the anticipated benefits have yet to materialize while the significant risks remain
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