U.S. cancels program aimed at identifying potential pandemic viruses

Typical… during peace time nations often get complacent. During healthy time, nations often get complacent. I thought it would take longer given just two years ago most stuff was shut down.

Re: U.S. cancels program aimed at identifying potential pandemic viruses

#7

Post by omginternets » Tue, Sep 12, 2023, 4:47 PM UTC

voz_ wrote: post #5

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The most disappointing part of the pandemic has been the utter lack of curiosity and professional duty displayed by journalists. The only other time I can think of such blatant dereliction of duty was the beginning of the war in Iraq.

Re: U.S. cancels program aimed at identifying potential pandemic viruses

#8

Post by sp332 » Tue, Sep 12, 2023, 4:53 PM UTC

matt3210 wrote: post #6

Typical… during peace time nations often get complacent. During healthy time, nations often get complacent. I thought it would take longer given just two years ago most stuff was shut down.

Still over 100 deaths per day in the US. And those are official numbers, certainly an undercount.

Re: U.S. cancels program aimed at identifying potential pandemic viruses

#9

Post by psychlops » Tue, Sep 12, 2023, 4:56 PM UTC

sp332 wrote: post #8

matt3210 wrote: post #6

Typical… during peace time nations often get complacent. During healthy time, nations often get complacent. I thought it would take longer given just two years ago most stuff was shut down.

Still over 100 deaths per day in the US. And those are official numbers, certainly an undercount.

We haven't been over excess mortality since January according to the CDC. People will always be dying of something, today it's with covid.

Re: U.S. cancels program aimed at identifying potential pandemic viruses

#10

Post by kevlened » Tue, Sep 12, 2023, 4:58 PM UTC

This is fantastic news. I recommend listening to Rob Reid's interview with Kevin Esvelt on the topic.

The gist is the program was designed to find potential viruses, then share them openly so countries without resources for this research could still prepare for future viruses. Obviously, open access to recipes for pandemic-grade viruses means they could also be used for nefarious means.

It's worth listening to the analysis as Rob Reid is an excellent interviewer and Kevin Esvelt is an expert in the field (he's at the forefront of gene drives).

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr28XeVYm8U

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5qWiCan9lAMnVrWqzpdHoI?si=0...