Do we really need this?
Many have argued that the researchers did not seek the approval of the NIH to conduct such a study and called it dangerous, even criminal.To understand if the research is really dangerous, one needs to get into the nitty-gritty of what the team really did. As published in the pre-print, the researchers used a genetic engineering technique to change the spike protein on the original coronavirus to the one that is found on the BA.1 Omicron subvariant.
They then infected three sets of mice with three versions of coronavirus, the first coronavirus as detected in 2020, the, and the one made in the Boston Lab. Each set of mice was infected with only one virus variant. The Boston Lab variant killed 80 percent of the mice, meaning it was quite deadly, which most news outlets are talking about.
However, we need to take into consideration the results of the infection by the other two strains in order to understand if the research was dangerous. 80 percent of the mice injected with the Omicron variant died during this experiment, while the death rate was 100 percent with mice infected with the original coronavirus.
This basically means that instead of creating a new deadly virus, the researchers showed that changes in the spike protein make the coronavirus less deadly, which is a valuable lesson. Did the researchers know this at the beginning of their experiments? Probably not. Should they have told NIH about these experiments? Probably yes. However, the study was also authorized by the ethics committee at the university, so there isn't something sinister in the intent of the researchers.
Did the research need a publication in a pre-print? Researchers thought so. Being hyped up and misunderstood easily isn't something scientists consider when publishing their research.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Illinois Coronavirus Updates: New Masking Guidance, COVID Guidelines ChangedHere’s what you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic across Illinois today.
Read more »
Opinion | How can we increase booster uptake? By targeting those who need it.Opinion by Leana S. Wen: How can we increase booster uptake? By targeting those who need it.
Read more »
Daily Blood Pressure Monitoring Helps Your Heart — Best LifeIf you're between 50 and 80 years old, you should be monitoring your blood pressure daily, experts say. Here's what you need to know.
Read more »
GREG GUTFELD: Why isn't the government investigating COVID's origin?Greg Gutfeld questions what researchers at Boston University were trying to accomplish by testing a lab-made COVID strain on mice on 'Gutfeld!'
Read more »
A swarm of sneaky omicron variants could cause a COVID-19 surge this fallScientists are tracking similar mutations showing up in many variants that help the coronavirus evade some of our immune defenses and treatments.
Read more »