The Reemergent 1977 H1N1 Strain and the Gain-of-Function Debate

ABSTRACT The 1977-1978 influenza epidemic was probably not a natural event, as the genetic sequence of the virus was nearly identical to the sequences of decades-old strains. While there are several hypotheses that could explain its origin, the possibility that the 1977 epidemic resulted from a labo...

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Autores principales:	Michelle Rozo, Gigi Kwik Gronvall
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	American Society for Microbiology 2015
Materias:	Microbiology QR1-502
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/edb3c6bcea2c4d1492e4063b2eacf1db
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:edb3c6bcea2c4d1492e4063b2eacf1db2021-11-15T15:41:27ZThe Reemergent 1977 H1N1 Strain and the Gain-of-Function Debate10.1128/mBio.01013-152150-7511https://doaj.org/article/edb3c6bcea2c4d1492e4063b2eacf1db2015-09-01T00:00:00Zhttps://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mBio.01013-15https://doaj.org/toc/2150-7511ABSTRACT The 1977-1978 influenza epidemic was probably not a natural event, as the genetic sequence of the virus was nearly identical to the sequences of decades-old strains. While there are several hypotheses that could explain its origin, the possibility that the 1977 epidemic resulted from a laboratory accident has recently gained popularity in discussions about the biosafety risks of gain-of-function (GOF) influenza virus research, as an argument for why this research should not be performed. There is now a moratorium in the United States on funding GOF research while the benefits and risks, including the potential for accident, are analyzed. Given the importance of this historical epidemic to ongoing policy debates, we revisit the evidence that the 1977 epidemic was not natural and examine three potential origins: a laboratory accident, a live-vaccine trial escape, or deliberate release as a biological weapon. Based on available evidence, the 1977 strain was indeed too closely matched to decades-old strains to likely be a natural occurrence. While the origin of the outbreak cannot be conclusively determined without additional evidence, there are very plausible alternatives to the laboratory accident hypothesis, diminishing the relevance of the 1977 experience to the modern GOF debate.Michelle RozoGigi Kwik GronvallAmerican Society for MicrobiologyarticleMicrobiologyQR1-502ENmBio, Vol 6, Iss 4 (2015)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Microbiology QR1-502
spellingShingle	Microbiology QR1-502 Michelle Rozo Gigi Kwik Gronvall The Reemergent 1977 H1N1 Strain and the Gain-of-Function Debate
description	ABSTRACT The 1977-1978 influenza epidemic was probably not a natural event, as the genetic sequence of the virus was nearly identical to the sequences of decades-old strains. While there are several hypotheses that could explain its origin, the possibility that the 1977 epidemic resulted from a laboratory accident has recently gained popularity in discussions about the biosafety risks of gain-of-function (GOF) influenza virus research, as an argument for why this research should not be performed. There is now a moratorium in the United States on funding GOF research while the benefits and risks, including the potential for accident, are analyzed. Given the importance of this historical epidemic to ongoing policy debates, we revisit the evidence that the 1977 epidemic was not natural and examine three potential origins: a laboratory accident, a live-vaccine trial escape, or deliberate release as a biological weapon. Based on available evidence, the 1977 strain was indeed too closely matched to decades-old strains to likely be a natural occurrence. While the origin of the outbreak cannot be conclusively determined without additional evidence, there are very plausible alternatives to the laboratory accident hypothesis, diminishing the relevance of the 1977 experience to the modern GOF debate.
format	article
author	Michelle Rozo Gigi Kwik Gronvall
author_facet	Michelle Rozo Gigi Kwik Gronvall
author_sort	Michelle Rozo
title	The Reemergent 1977 H1N1 Strain and the Gain-of-Function Debate
title_short	The Reemergent 1977 H1N1 Strain and the Gain-of-Function Debate
title_full	The Reemergent 1977 H1N1 Strain and the Gain-of-Function Debate
title_fullStr	The Reemergent 1977 H1N1 Strain and the Gain-of-Function Debate
title_full_unstemmed	The Reemergent 1977 H1N1 Strain and the Gain-of-Function Debate
title_sort	reemergent 1977 h1n1 strain and the gain-of-function debate
publisher	American Society for Microbiology
publishDate	2015
url	https://doaj.org/article/edb3c6bcea2c4d1492e4063b2eacf1db
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The Reemergent 1977 H1N1 Strain and the Gain-of-Function Debate

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