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What happens if an engineered virus escapes the lab?

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Since the 1970s, researchers have engineered superbugs. While this research could help us prepare for future outbreaks, the stakes of this work are extremely high: if even one dangerous virus escaped a lab, it could cause a global pandemic. So, what can we do to minimize risk? And is the knowledge gained even worth the risk in the first place? Dig into the ongoing debate over virology research.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Director Kevin Herrmann, AIM Creative Studios
  • Narrator George Zaidan
  • Storyboard Artist Kevin Herrmann
  • Animator Kevin Herrmann, Daniela Carvalho, André Cunha
  • AIM Creative Studios Producer Tiago Ribeiro
  • Illustrator Kevin Herrmann
  • Composer André Aires
  • Sound Designer André Aires
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Producer Anna Bechtol
  • Associate Producer Abdallah Ewis
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Script Editor George Zaidan
  • Fact-Checker Charles Wallace
Additional Resources for you to Explore
There is no definitive evidence to indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic was caused by a lab leak in Wuhan, China. And yet, the fact that the theory has been bandied about has led to renewed conversation about the safety protocols of laboratories that engineer and study potentially dangerous pathogens. The work being done in these environments is broadly called "gain-of-function" research (GOFR)—a range of scientific study that engages in the manipulation of an organism's DNA in order to change its biological functions.

Gain-of-function research has paved the way for numerous medical developments, from cancer treatments to effective vaccines. However, the creation of drug-resistant "superbugs" in laboratories (formally known as enhanced Potential Pandemic Pathogens, or ePPPs) poses certain public health risks if a leak were to occur. Some gain-of-function research strikes additional fears because of its potential applications to bioweapons (referred to as Dual Use Research of Concern, or DURC).

The Biological Weapons Convention, a multilateral disarmament treaty that effectively bans biological and toxin weapons, took effect in 1975—and as of 2022, has the compliance of 184 states. Even so, the memory of a 1979 accident in a secret bioweapons facility in the Soviet city of Sverdlovsk keeps the global fear of biological warfare alive. To read more about this historic incident, click here.

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Director Kevin Herrmann, AIM Creative Studios
  • Narrator George Zaidan
  • Storyboard Artist Kevin Herrmann
  • Animator Kevin Herrmann, Daniela Carvalho, André Cunha
  • AIM Creative Studios Producer Tiago Ribeiro
  • Illustrator Kevin Herrmann
  • Composer André Aires
  • Sound Designer André Aires
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Producer Anna Bechtol
  • Associate Producer Abdallah Ewis
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Script Editor George Zaidan
  • Fact-Checker Charles Wallace

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