Gain of Function

As we watch the purge of Dr. Anthony Fauci in the Congress, with absurd denunciations of the scientist as the author of the Covid epidemic, and calls for his imprisonment, an article was published that represents a new frontier in virology.

Senator Rand Paul has talked about the dangers of so-called “gain of function” research, which involves modification of viruses to become more virulent in-vitro. This is done to study approaches to counteract future mutations that can be of risk in potential epidemics. The dangers of research in this area are obviously apparent, which is why regulations are in place to minimize escape of these viruses into the public. The U.S. government evaluated the use of the coronavirus mutant studied at the Hunan Institute of Virology and was given the go ahead to proceed. Dr. Fauci did nothing wrong, and in fact, a genomic analysis showed that the mutant was very likely different from that of the CoV-2 virus that caused the pandemic. Could the Hunan Institute of Virology inadvertently be responsible for a leak that caused the epidemic? This is unlikely, but still in the realm of possibility. China has not allowed an audit of the Hunan facility, so we may never be able to absolutely rule this out.

Genetic manipulation of microbes for use in medicine has been going on for decades. For example, human insulin is synthesized with the help of E. Coli bacteria that has used recombinant DNA technology. The Johnson and Johnson Covid vaccine was developed through gain of function research that attached CoV-2 to modified Adenovirus.

Scientists have now been able to manufacture a type of virus known as a bacteriophage which infects E. Coli bacteria. They were able to choose genetic sequences that would be potentially infective through the use of AI analysis. Viruses synthesized in this manner were able to enter into E.Coli bacteria and replicate. This is real science-fiction stuff brought into a new reality. One can imagine this technology used as a biological weapon. Regulation is clearly needed to minimize this potentiality.

CRISPR editing technology, in which genes can be added or spliced into a cell, can also have potential adverse effects. This is why it is banned from use in germline cells, which can go from generation to generation, as opposed to somatic cells, in which genetic modification can only stay in one organism (like a human being).

Perhaps the Senate can study regulations in genetic technology, rather than do a witch hunt (to use one of President Trump’s favorite phrases) on Dr. Fauci. Somehow, I doubt this. Better to study the intricate details of Dr. Fauci’s private diary than to actually have a rational discussion on how to regulate scientific advances.

References:

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aec2657

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/06/science/ai-viruses-bacteria-arc.html

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4203937/

https://www.statnews.com/2021/12/23/gain-of-function-research-advances-knowledge-and-saves-lives/?matchtype=&keyword=&cid=21378541377&agid=&device=c&placement=&creative=&target=&adposition=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pmax-catchall-url-ex&utm_term=&utm_content=&hsa_acc=5862992171&hsa_cam=21378541377&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21378543084&gbraid=0AAAAADjVleQVClXguam6InK07W_iA0c4B&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7eXTBhDBARIsAKF-w47etlFTOixy9mEECc1HCQYplA2W6KDOXURqHepczeZXHnT3nZM8W9IaAstQEALw_wcB

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28653169/

https://magazine.publichealth.jhu.edu/2023/gain-function-research-balancing-science-and-security

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/anthony-fauci-rand-paul-contempt-covid-origins-lab-leak-theory-gain-of-function/