NIH “Memory Holes” Gain-Of-Function

(MDG) In the wake of increasing calls for Anthony Fauci to be fired due to his role in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the NIH has removed its information on gain-of-function from its website in an apparent attempt to shield Fauci and the NIH from further criticism.

Fortunately, the internet is forever and the original page is archived. The original page contained this description under gain-of-function research:

The term gain-of-function (GOF) research describes a type of research that modifies a biological agent so that it confers new or enhanced activity to that agent. Some scientists use the term broadly to refer to any such modification. However, not all research described as GOF entails the same level of risk. For example, research that involves the modification of bacteria to allow production of human insulin, or the altering of the genetic program of immune cells in CAR-T cell therapy to treat cancer generally would be considered low risk. The subset of GOF research that is anticipated to enhance the transmissibility and/or virulence of potential pandemic pathogens, which are likely to make them more dangerous to humans, has been the subject of substantial scrutiny and deliberation. Such GOF approaches can sometimes be justified in laboratories with appropriate biosafety and biosecurity controls to help us understand the fundamental nature of human-pathogen interactions, assess the pandemic potential of emerging infectious agents, and inform public health and preparedness efforts, including surveillance and the development of vaccines and medical countermeasures. This research poses biosafety and biosecurity risks, and these risks must be carefully managed. When supported with NIH funds, this subset of GOF research may only be conducted in laboratories with stringent oversight and appropriate biosafety and biosecurity controls(link is external) to help protect researchers from infection and prevent the release of microorganisms into the environment. (NIH)

Currently, the site has scrubbed the paragraph entirely, and now is titled simply, “Research Involving Enhanced Potential Pandemic Pathogens.”

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul drew attention to the change in a recent retweet:

This article appears in its entirety at the Montana Daily Gazette. Read it here. Note: Title changed by Mile High Evening News.