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A comment on Why the Wuhan lab leak theory shouldn't be dismissed. Parent comment

Re:Why the Wuhan lab leak theory shouldn't be dismissed by WrtCdEvrydy on Monday March 22, 2021 @05:39PM (#26547553)
> we shouldn't be doing _gain of function_ research on the types of viruses that can cause these outbreaks.

Why not? Seriously, this is the "let's just stop developing nukes" argument... someone will and whether we're prepared or not is on us.

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Re:Why the Wuhan lab leak theory shouldn't be dismissed by jonny_eh on Monday March 22, 2021 @05:45PM (#26547650)
> Why not?

It's not worth the risk.

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Re:Why the Wuhan lab leak theory shouldn't be dismissed by throwawaysea on Monday March 22, 2021 @05:45PM (#26547649)
For one, the US banned such research and specifically for SARS: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2014/10/17/doing-d...

We should also remember that there were past lab leaks in China of SARS, including ones that led to smaller outbreaks and deaths: https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20040423/china-sars-death

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Re:Why the Wuhan lab leak theory shouldn't be dismissed by throwaway_r1453 on Monday March 22, 2021 @07:46PM (#26549061)
Let's be accurate: This research wasn't "banned." NIH paused granting new funding pending a review [1]. After the review, it was determined that the benefits outweigh the risks and was resumed [2].

[1] - https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/who-we-are/nih-director/statem...

[2] - https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/who-we-are/nih-director/statem...

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