NIH Lifts Ban on Funding High-Risk Virus Research

 

December 20, 2017
by Brigit Katz
Smithsonian Magazine

But many virologists welcomed the NIH’s lifting of the moratorium. Viruses evolve constantly, and experts say that the another future flu pandemic will definitely happen, according to Fox of NBC News. The U.S. is, however, very poorly equipped to handle an impending epidemic; a recent Trust for America’s Health report found that there are “major gaps in emergency health preparedness” across many states. Being able to predict how a virus will behave, proponents say, can help public health officials better develop strategies for handling a pandemic.

Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nih-removes-funding-ban-high-risk-virus-research-180967598/#DJtzicjxFPRJ3UPJ.99
Give the gift of Smithsonian magazine for only $12! http://bit.ly/1cGUiGv
Follow us: @SmithsonianMag on Twitter

View the full story (some sites require registration)