Future pandemics and the urge to ‘do something’-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Future pandemics and the urge to ‘do something’

Published:2024-01-29 Issue: Volume: Page:jme-2023-109791
ISSN:0306-6800
Container-title:Journal of Medical Ethics
language:en
Short-container-title:J Med Ethics

Author:

Lerner Adam,Eyal Nir^ORCID

Abstract

Research with enhanced potential pandemic pathogens (ePPP) makes pathogens substantially more lethal, communicable, immunosuppressive or otherwise capable of triggering a pandemic. We briefly relay an existing argument that the benefits of ePPP research do not outweigh its risks and then consider why proponents of these arguments continue to confidently endorse them. We argue that these endorsements may well be the product of common cognitive biases—in which case they would provide no challenge to the argument against ePPP research. If the case against ePPP research is strong, the views of professional experts do little to move the needle in favour of ePPP research.

Funder

Longview Philanthropy

Publisher

BMJ

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