The End Of The World with Josh Clark Biotechnology
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Nov 21, 2018 Former chair of the Containment Laboratory Community Advisory Committee, Beth Willis, and senior fellow at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, Dr Lynn Klotz, discuss the dangers of gain of function research and the potential catastrophic consequences of releasing genetically altered superbugs. They also highlight the need for stronger safeguards in biotech research to prevent accidental releases and the threat of a deadly pathogen causing a global pandemic.
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Mousepox Experiment Disaster
- Researchers Ron Jackson and Ian Ramshaw accidentally created a highly lethal mousepox virus by adding the IL-4 gene.
- This virus killed every mouse, even those genetically immune, highlighting the risks of gain of function research.
Smallpox’s Historical Impact
- Smallpox devastated native populations in the Americas, killing up to 90% in some communities during European colonization.
- Despite eradication, smallpox stocks remain in two labs, posing ongoing bioweapon risks and ethical debates.
Spanish Flu’s Lethality and Revival
- The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic killed 50 million people in just four months, blending extreme lethality with easy transmission.
- Researchers recovered and recreated the virus from permafrost to study its dangerous traits.