Today we talk to Associate Professor Michael Beard, Head of the Viral Pathogenesis Research Laboratory at the University of Adelaide. Our topic is the controversial gain of function research, a technique in virology and genetics which is often used knock a function into a virus to change its transmissibility. The idea is that this kind of research helps us learn more about how a virus evolves, predict future pandemics, and influences vaccine design. However, there is renewed public focus on the area as there have been claims that this type of research is responsible, via a lab leak, for the current COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s interview is hosted by Cosmos journalist Dr Deborah Devis.
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