Critics Skeptical as Flu Scientists Argue for Controversial H7N9 Studies

David Malakoff

In letters published this week by Science and Nature, 22 flu scientists make a case for launching potentially risky gain-of-function experiments involving the H7N9 avian influenza virus. In 2011, such experiments�which involve giving aa virus characteristics it does not yet have in nature, such as the ability to infect new species�spaarked a global controversy over research involving the H5N1 bird flu virus. Critics say the risks posed by the studies outweigh benefits and that proponents are overstating their value.


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