BOX 3-2Where Does Virological Research Cross the Line into GoF Research as Defined by the U.S. Government?

• Adaptation of MERS-CoV to animal models
• Elucidating the molecular determinants of transmissibility by the airborne route (influenza)
• Elucidating the biological basis for adverse outcomes associated with candidate SARS vaccines
• Conclusive experiments to demonstrate the biological significance of
  • novel gene products
  • genetic differences between isolates from animals and/or humans for newly emerged viruses, e.g., H7N9, H5N8, H5N2, H10N7, and H10N8 influenza and MERS-CoV
  • Virulence determinants of newly emerged viruses, e.g., H7N9, H5N8, H5N2, H10N7, and H10N8 influenza and MERS-CoV
• Molecular basis for resistance to antiviral drugs and MAbs
• Viral evolution under immune pressure
• Viral evolution in the presence of antiviral drugs

SOURCE: Subbarao's ideas on when she believes virological research crosses the line into GoF as defined by the U.S. government, symposium presentation, 2014.