Designer viruses as vaccines: yea or nay?

  • Context: COVID 
  • Thread starter Thread starter hutchphd
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Vaccines
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of using designer viruses as vaccines, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants explore the ethical implications, technical feasibility, and potential consequences of such an approach, as well as comparisons to existing vaccination methods.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Ethical considerations
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the response to COVID-19 was hindered by social reluctance to vaccinate rather than a lack of medical capability to develop vaccines.
  • There is a proposal to consider designer viruses as an alternative to traditional vaccines, raising questions about the risks involved.
  • One participant questions the ethical implications of releasing a replication-competent virus into a population without consent.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for a designer virus to evolve uncontrollably, leading to unforeseen consequences.
  • Participants discuss the technical aspects of creating designer viruses, questioning how much control scientists have over the outcomes.
  • Comparisons are made to existing vaccines, such as the J&J COVID vaccine, which uses a modified adenoviral vector that is replication-incompetent.
  • Historical examples, such as the oral polio vaccine and the introduction of Myxoma virus in Australia, are cited to illustrate the complexities and risks of using live viruses for vaccination.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the ability to predict the behavior of a designer virus in a natural environment.
  • There are suggestions for improving vaccine delivery methods to reduce vaccine hesitancy, such as using nasal sprays instead of injections.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the ethical and technical aspects of using designer viruses as vaccines. There is no consensus on whether this approach is advisable or feasible, and multiple competing perspectives remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in current understanding of virus transmission, immune system interactions, and the unpredictability of viral evolution. The discussion also touches on public perception and regulatory challenges associated with genetically modified organisms and gain-of-function research.

  • #61
Mike S. said:
Suppose the doctor (or nurse) is one of the rare people who actually had a bad reaction to a vaccine - maybe an allergy, perhaps even a case of Guillain-Barre. Would you say that doctor should be fired also?
Possibly. Perhaps temporarily moved to a different area of work if possible, or relegated primarily to something like video appointments where their risk of catching and transmitting the disease is minimal.

Note that there's a big difference between someone trying and being unable to do something versus someone refusing to do something. You can sometimes stay in the military for years while being unable to perform half of your duties if you've had an illness or injury that makes those duties impossible, but refusal will get you kicked out VERY quickly.

Mike S. said:
And yet, people at work can't tell you who had COVID in the office.
I doubt this. I'm a disabled vet who doesn't work, but my ex was constantly coming home and telling me that so-and-so at work contracted Covid and was going to be out for a few weeks. Of my close friends that I've talked to recently, most know who has had Covid at their work. My girlfriend's best friends also know who has had Covid at their work.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: pinball1970 and hutchphd
Biology news on Phys.org
  • #62
Drakkith said:
Possibly. Perhaps temporarily moved to a different area of work if possible, or relegated primarily to something like video appointments where their risk of catching and transmitting the disease is minimal.

Note that there's a big difference between someone trying and being unable to do something versus someone refusing to do something. You can sometimes stay in the military for years while being unable to perform half of your duties if you've had an illness or injury that makes those duties impossible, but refusal will get you kicked out VERY quickly.I doubt this. I'm a disabled vet who doesn't work, but my ex was constantly coming home and telling me that so-and-so at work contracted Covid and was going to be out for a few weeks. Of my close friends that I've talked to recently, most know who has had Covid at their work. My girlfriend's best friends also know who has had Covid at their work.
Same here (UK, my place of work at least) one of us gets it we let everyone know.
EDIT: and not because we have to.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 100 ·
4
Replies
100
Views
10K
Replies
26
Views
3K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
  • · Replies 516 ·
18
Replies
516
Views
38K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 47 ·
2
Replies
47
Views
10K
  • · Replies 203 ·
7
Replies
203
Views
28K
  • · Replies 93 ·
4
Replies
93
Views
18K