Scientists To Make Deadlier Versions Of H7N9 Bird Flu In Lab

Wednesday, August 7, 2013 - 12:00 in Health & Medicine

Virus Research Security A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientist performs H5N1 research in a biosafety level 3 lab. Scientists will perform H7N9 gain-of-function studies in a biosafety level 3+ lab. The highest biosafety level is 4. Greg Knobloch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The controversial studies are meant to help predict what the virus will do next. A team of virus researchers is set to perform studies on H7N9 that may make the bird flu more resistant to drugs and more easily transmitted between humans. The scientists announced their plans today in two major science journals, Nature and Science. H7N9 first arose in eastern China this spring. Since then, it has killed 43 people and sickened 90 more. The outbreak is now under control, but the research team says the virus could gain traction again this winter flu season, so they want to do so-called gain-of-function studies to learn...

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