Virology under the Microscope—a Call for Rational Discourse

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Mehul Suthar, Emory University; Walter Orenstein, Emory University; Guido Silvestri, Emory University; Anice Lowen, Emory University; Richard Plemper, Emory University; Seema Lakdawala, Emory University; Christopher Neufeldt, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2023-02-01
• Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2023 Goodrum et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jvi.00089-23
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Virology
• Volume: 97
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: e0008923
• End Page: e0008923
• Grant/Funding Information: No funding was used to support this commentary.
• Keywords: Viruses; zoonosis; DURC; Research; Policy Making; COVID-19; biosafety; Coronavirus; vaccines; SARS-CoV-2; pandemic; Virology; Information Dissemination; Humans; Pandemics; influenza; Gain of function; Virus Diseases
• Research Categories: Biology, Virology; Health Sciences, Immunology

Abstract

Viruses have brought humanity many challenges: respiratory infection, cancer, neurological impairment and immunosuppression to name a few. Virology research over the last 601 years has responded to reduce this disease burden with vaccines and antivirals. Despite this long history, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented attention to the field of virology. Some of this attention is focused on concern about the safe conduct of research with human pathogens. A small but vocal group of individuals has seized upon these concerns – conflating legitimate questions about safely conducting virus-related research with uncertainties over the origins of SARS-CoV-2. The result has fueled public confusion and, in many instances, ill-informed condemnation of virology. With this article, we seek to promote a return to rational discourse. We explain the use of gain-of-function approaches in science, discuss the possible origins of SARS-CoV-2 and outline current regulatory structures that provide oversight for virological research in the United States. By offering our expertise, we – a broad group of working virologists – seek to aid policy makers in navigating these controversial issues. Balanced, evidence-based discourse is essential to addressing public concern while maintaining and expanding much-needed research in virology.