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Gain of function research is a hotly debated topic in virology with the main purpose in current times of being able to manufacture a vaccine for a potential weaponized virus created by terrorists in today's modern world. Opponents say it's too dangerous to make the virus, proponents say it's necessary to stay one step ahead of terrorists. Both sides of the argument have merit.
That being said, Anthony Fauci was the driving force behind the creation of the COVID-19 vaccine (operation warp speed under Trump).
Why is Fauci and Gain of Function research being demonized in such a way by the right?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gain-of-function_research
Updated:
This was an in depth discussion on the entire topic of gain of function research and the chemical / viral warfare topic it pertains to by noted neuroscientist Sam Harris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaRfbJE1qZ4
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That's a touch hyperbolic.
Gain of function is accelerating the natural growth and evolution of a virus to potentially predict how it might develop in the wild over a longer period of time so we can potentially preempt any changes it makes to itself with a vaccine.
People have this Resident Evil T-Virus image in their minds but that's not really what's happening. They're not slamming together the worst parts of different viruses to create some super virus, there wouldn't be any point to that (aside from military use which would be suicidal) because the result would be something completely new that wouldn't be encountered in the wild.
Sure, the potential for a virus to escape is there but it's highly unlikely to happen in the first place and even if it does it's not going to be something that we just have no idea what to do about.