NIH Lifts Ban On Research That Could Make Deadly Viruses Even Worse
After an unusual three-year moratorium, the federal government says it will once again allow research on deadly viruses that could spark pandemics. The work has sparked concerns about bioterrorism.
by Nell Greenfieldboyce
Dec 19, 2017
3 minutes
Scientists could soon resume controversial experiments on germs with the potential to cause pandemics, as government officials have decided to finally lift an unusual three-year moratorium on federal funding for the work.
The research involves three viruses â influenza, SARS, and MERS â that could kill millions if they mutated in a way that let the germs spread quickly among people.
The bird flu virus H7N9, for example, is to have infected more than 1,500
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