Leaked It Will Learn
Dec 16, 2025
Jenner Furst, a filmmaker known for directing the documentary *Thank You, Dr. Fauci*, joins the conversation to delve into the alarming intersections of virology and AI. He discusses Dr. Robert Redfield's warnings about bird flu and the dangers of gain-of-function research. The talk highlights how these threats may already be adapting beyond our control. Jenner also reflects on societal divides caused by COVID-19 and emphasizes the need for community connection and accountability in response to these looming crises.
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Gain-Of-Function's Defensive Rationale
- Gain-of-function research aims to mimic natural viral changes to predict and prevent pandemics.
- The work is high-risk and sparks debate over public access versus biosafety.
Redfield's Lost Debate Over Publishing
- Robert Redfield recounts arguing to suppress a Dutch study that identified specific amino acid changes making H5N1 human-transmissible.
- He lost that debate and feared publishing the 'recipe' could be misused as a bioterror tool.
Openness Versus Safety Across Fields
- The tension between scientific openness and public safety recurs across fields like AI and virology.
- Rapid tool creation often outpaces our ability to build effective guardrails.