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Gain-of-function virology as dual-use research of concern: Variations of securitization in the United States.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Gain-of-function virology as dual-use research of concern: Variations of securitization in the United States.
Authors: Kelle, Alexander, Dando, Malcolm
Source: Politics & the Life Sciences. Spring2026, Vol. 45 Issue 1, p141-158. 18p.
Subjects: COVID-19, United States. Congress, Biotechnology, Risk management in business, Medical virology, Biosecurity, Risk assessment
Geographic Terms: United States
Abstract: Ever since the advent of recombinant DNA technology in the early 1970s concerns have been expressed about the misuse potential of this and subsequent biotechnology breakthroughs. This article focuses on the securitization of gain-of-function (GOF) virology research in the United States, utilizing an updated theoretical framework that distinguishes between "riskification" and "threatification." The paper examines three distinct cases, two historical, one ongoing. It argues that early attempts to govern GOF research primarily employed a riskification approach, characterized by self-governance by the scientific community. However, the controversy over the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a shift toward threatification, bringing in high-level political actors like the U.S. President and Congress, resulting in the adoption of more restrictive, legally-enforced oversight measures. The article concludes that the application of this theoretical distinction provides a better understanding of how the governance of dual-use research has evolved in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:Ever since the advent of recombinant DNA technology in the early 1970s concerns have been expressed about the misuse potential of this and subsequent biotechnology breakthroughs. This article focuses on the securitization of gain-of-function (GOF) virology research in the United States, utilizing an updated theoretical framework that distinguishes between "riskification" and "threatification." The paper examines three distinct cases, two historical, one ongoing. It argues that early attempts to govern GOF research primarily employed a riskification approach, characterized by self-governance by the scientific community. However, the controversy over the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a shift toward threatification, bringing in high-level political actors like the U.S. President and Congress, resulting in the adoption of more restrictive, legally-enforced oversight measures. The article concludes that the application of this theoretical distinction provides a better understanding of how the governance of dual-use research has evolved in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:07309384
DOI:10.1017/pls.2025.10018