NIH Lifts Ban On Research That Could Make Deadly Viruses Even Worse

"Scientists could soon resume controversial experiments on germs with the potential to cause pandemics, as government officials have decided to finally lift an unusual three-year moratorium on federal funding for the work."

"The research involves three viruses — influenza, SARS, and MERS — that that could kill millions if they mutated in a way that let the germs spread quickly between people."

"The bird flu virus H7N9, for example, is known to have infected more than 1,500 people, and 40 percent of them died. But unlike common flu strains, this one does not spread easily in humans."

"Biologists say they may need to alter these viruses in the lab to understand what genetic changes matter in starting pandemics, so they can understand the risks and get ready. But some of their past efforts to tinker with viruses have made other scientists uneasy."