Worrying experiments with bird flu viruses

Genetically manipulated bird flu viruses

08/10/2013

After scientists had announced that they wanted to breed genetically manipulated bird flu viruses for research purposes, a discussion about the meaning and purpose of such experiments was sparked. According to some media, this dangerous work has already begun.

Genetically manipulated bird flu viruses
It has recently been reported that H7N9 influenza virus can also cause human-to-human transmission. Not only since that scientists are arguing over whether it is justifiable to breed genetically engineered bird flu viruses for research purposes. The virologists Ron Fouchier (Rotterdam) and Yoshihiro Kawaoka (Wisconsin) write in an open letter that they want to make the deadly bird flu virus H7N9 more aggressive in the lab to better understand how it spreads. The letter was featured in the two largest science journals this week „Nature“ and „Science“ printed.

Experiments are already running worldwide
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 43 people died from the pathogen until July. The outbreak is currently banned, but in the coming winter, according to the researchers, the virus could reappear. Researchers around the world have begun to work with genetically modified avian influenza viruses of the H7N9 type and, according to FOCUS information, initial experiments are already underway. Ron Fouchier confirmed FOCUS: „The drug resistance experiments are already under way in several laboratories worldwide.“ And other experiments are under preparation, according to the influenza expert from the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam: „Studies that increase the portability of viruses could start within a few months.“

Experts see great danger
In such experiments, mutations would be expected that could be identified earlier and thus better controlled. It is to be feared that this will produce pathogen variants that can be far more dangerous than the natural originals. Therefore, such projects are also highly controversial. For example, Zeng Guang, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control finds such experiments negligent: „Artificial changes to the virus are very dangerous.“ The change of a pathogen could take many years in nature. A converted virus can be dangerous at once. Such changes are neither predictable nor are they possible to realistically anticipate them in the laboratory. He criticized: „This is not based on truly scientific research.“

Scientists see scientific benefits
However, Fouchier and Kawaoka see a great scientific benefit in the projects. In their opinion, the experiments would allow them to develop better vaccines, better study the dangers of a new outbreak and artificially analyze the risks of new transmission pathways. In her open letter states: „Further research is needed, including experiments related to gain-of-function studies“

Danger is not over
The new form of bird flu H7N9 was first detected in humans in March. The typical symptoms of avian flu are initially similar to those of conventional flu and usually include high fever, cough, sore throat and occasional dyspnea. At least 130 people were infected in China. In most cases, the authorities assumed that the victims were infected with poultry. Thousands of animals were culled and markets closed with live poultry. The number of new infections then went almost completely back. However, as early as April, the WHO had suspected that in individual cases the virus could have spread from person to person. A few days ago, a research team led by scientist Bao Chang-jun from the Center for Disease Control in the South China city of Nanjing „British Medical Journal“ again warned against the risk of a human-to-human transmission: „The danger of H7N9 is by no means over.“
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Picture: Aka