New Bat Virus Research Funded with $2.9m by EcoHealth Alliance, but Gain-of-Function and Work in China Prohibited

EcoHealth Alliance Receives $2.9 Million for Bat Virus Research

EcoHealth Alliance, a non-profit organization that focuses on global health and conservation, has been awarded $2.9 million by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study bat viruses. The research will focus on understanding the genetic makeup of bat viruses and how they can potentially infect humans. However, the grant comes with strict conditions, including a ban on gain-of-function research and a prohibition on working with Chinese institutions.

The grant was awarded as part of the NIH’s NIAID Emerging Infectious Diseases/Pathogens program, which aims to identify and study emerging infectious diseases. The research will be led by EcoHealth Alliance President Peter Daszak, who has been studying bat viruses for over 15 years. The organization has previously conducted research on the origins of the SARS virus and the Ebola virus.

Ban on Gain-of-Function Research

The grant comes with a ban on gain-of-function research, which involves modifying viruses to make them more infectious or deadly. This type of research has been controversial in the past, with some scientists arguing that it is necessary to understand how viruses can mutate and potentially cause pandemics. However, others have raised concerns about the safety of such research and the potential for accidental release of dangerous viruses.

The NIH imposed a moratorium on gain-of-function research in 2014, following a series of biosafety incidents at government labs. The moratorium was lifted in 2017, but the NIH now requires that any research involving gain-of-function be reviewed by a special committee. The ban on gain-of-function research in the EcoHealth Alliance grant is likely a response to concerns about the safety of such research.

Prohibition on Working with Chinese Institutions

The grant also comes with a prohibition on working with Chinese institutions, which has raised concerns about the politicization of scientific research. The EcoHealth Alliance has previously worked with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which has been the subject of controversy over the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have accused the institute of being the source of the virus, while others have dismissed these claims as baseless conspiracy theories.

The prohibition on working with Chinese institutions is likely a response to these concerns, as well as broader geopolitical tensions between the US and China. However, some scientists have criticized the ban as being overly broad and potentially hindering scientific collaboration. The EcoHealth Alliance has stated that it will continue to collaborate with Chinese scientists on other projects, but will not be able to work with them on the bat virus research funded by the NIH grant.

Conclusion

The grant awarded to the EcoHealth Alliance highlights the importance of studying emerging infectious diseases and understanding the potential risks of zoonotic viruses. However, the ban on gain-of-function research and the prohibition on working with Chinese institutions underscore the challenges and controversies surrounding scientific research in this field. As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and the threat of future pandemics, it is crucial that scientific research is conducted in a safe and transparent manner, while also promoting international collaboration and cooperation

Original article Teaser

EcoHealth Alliance Given $2.9m for New Bat Virus Research – But With Ban on Gain-of-Function and Work in China

The U.S. Government has awarded $2.9 million (£2.3m) to the notorious EcoHealth Alliance – considered by many to be linked to the creation of SARS-CoV-2 – to resume bat virus research. But it comes with major restrictions, including a ban on working in China and anything resembling gain-of-function. The Telegraph has more. EcoHealth Alliance, which was working with Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) to collect and study bat viruses before the pandemic, has been allowed to restart experiments after a three-year suspension, but with massive restrictions. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has forbidden the team from carrying out any research in China and banned the collection of bat or human samples. It has also prohibited scientists from culturing chimeric viruses, carrying out

Details to EcoHealth Alliance Given $2.9m for New Bat Virus Research – But With Ban on Gain-of-Function and Work in China