U.S. Government Puts Pause on Funding for Risky Infectious Agent Research

After safety breaches involving anthrax and influenza at federal laboratories earlier this year, the U.S. government is pausing funding for new "gain-of-function" studies involving influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) while it assesses the benefits and risks of such research.

By Amy Orciari Herman

Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD

After safety breaches involving anthrax and influenza at federal laboratories earlier this year, the U.S. government is pausing funding for new "gain-of-function" studies involving influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) while it assesses the benefits and risks of such research.

"Gain-of-function" studies increase an agent's pathogenicity or transmissibility "with an ultimate goal of better understanding disease pathways," according to an announcement from the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Department of Health and Human Services.

The government is also encouraging those currently involved in such studies (federally funded or not) to halt their research during the assessment period. The first step of the evaluation, a meeting of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, is set for this Wednesday.

Source:

MEDICAL NEWS | PHYSICIAN'S FIRST WATCH

October 20, 2014