Regulating Risky Research

The COVID-19 pandemic has renewed public interest in gain-of-function (GOF) research of concern on pathogens of pandemic potential. Are laboratory experiments to make pathogens more transmissible or virulent necessary for scientific progress? Do such experiments pose unacceptable risk? As Congress and the executive branch consider regulatory reforms, we sorely need constructive, evidence-based discussions of the benefits and drawbacks of GOF research of concern, including which policy changes best serve the public interest.