How Risky Is Gain-of-Function Research, Really?

“The possibility [of a gain-of-function pathogen being accidentally released] is very low due to the oversight, the many oversight mechanisms that we do have … And it’s worth noting too that most gain-of-function experiments that are occurring are not inherently risky, and they don’t involve pandemic pathogens. The bigger concern that we should be having at this time is with the rapid changes in the cuts that are happening in our government, [which] could lower the strength of the oversight.” — Alicia L. Johnson, Ph.D.

About the Episode

Debates around gain-of-function research, which genetically alters an organism to give it new functions, became highly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public figures began to speculate that the virus responsible was created through gain-of-function experiments in Wuhan, China.

However, many scientists maintain that this kind of research helps us understand and respond to emerging viral threats, like avian flu. So just how important is gain-of-function research, and what oversight mechanisms are in place to reduce the hazards that yet other scientists say make these experiments too risky?

The Baker Institute Science and Technology Policy Program’s Kirstin R.W. Matthews and Alicia L. Johnson, along with Rice University biosciences professor Yousif Shamoo, joined the “Baker Briefing” podcast to discuss the risks, benefits, and guardrails surrounding gain-of-function research — and why federal budget cuts and layoffs could make the endeavor less secure.

This conversation was recorded on March 20, 2025. Subscribe and listen to “Baker Briefing” on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Transcript

A full transcript of this episode is available here. This transcript was AI-generated and has not been through editorial review.

About ‘Baker Briefing’

Hosted by David M. Satterfield,  the “Baker Briefing” podcast delivers timely analysis on breaking policy developments and other critical policy issues of the day in conversations with experts at the Baker Institute. New episodes are released weekly.

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This material may be quoted or reproduced without prior permission, provided appropriate credit is given to the author(s) and Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. The views expressed herein are those of the individual author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.