[ceejayoz]

> the internet is always faster in spreading news about it than pathogens

Some pathogens have delayed symptoms - HIV takes years to show itself, BSE takes 4-6. A fast spreading aerosol version of something like this would be… bad.

[xiphias2]

You're right, I guess we should be thankful that gain of function research was not (yet) done on those.

[ceejayoz]

I'm not inherently opposed to gain of function research.

Someone is gonna do gain of function research on pathogens, and it's pretty rapidly becoming something in reach of determined hobbyists, let alone rogue states.

I think I'd prefer we understand what's possible, how pathogens vary in deadliness, how they might be modified by less friendly actors, etc., and I'd hope it's not being done in a cavalier fashion with regards to safety.