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SUMMARY:Risks and Benefits of Gain-of-function Pathogen Research - Profess
 or Marc Lipsitch\, Harvard
DTSTART:20150116T160000Z
DTEND:20150116T173000Z
UID:TALK57114@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Nicholas Robinson
DESCRIPTION:A growing trend in experimental virology has been the modifica
 tion of influenza viruses that are antigenically novel to\, and virulent i
 n humans\, such that these variant viruses are readily transmissible in ma
 mmals\, including ferrets which are thought to be the best animal model fo
 r influenza infection. Novel\, contagious\, virulent viruses are potential
  pandemic pathogens in that their accidental or malevolent release into th
 e human population could cause a pandemic. \n\nThis talk will describe the
  purported benefits of such studies\, arguing that these are overstated\; 
 estimate the magnitude of the risk they create\, argue for the superiority
  of alternative scientific approaches on both safety and scientific ground
 s\, and propose an ethical framework in which such experiments should be e
 valuated. The talk will also explore recent developments following the pau
 se in funding for this research announced by the United States Government 
 in October\, and steps towards the risk-benefit analysis called for by the
  announcement.\n\nProfessor Derek Smith\, Professor of Infectious Disease 
 Informatics at Cambridge\, will give a response. A drinks reception will f
 ollow.
LOCATION:Room SG1\, Alison Richard Building\, 7 West Road\, University of 
 Cambridge
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