The opinions expressed in this piece are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carolina Journal or its publisher.
In the shadow of some scientific research lies the potential for catastrophic consequences. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s virology program, spearheaded by Dr. Ralph Baric, deserves attention for technical achievement but also for questionable safety practices.
According to an Aug. 17, 2020 ProPublica investigation and a follow-up piece, from 2015 to 2020 UNC-Chapel Hill reported 28 lab accidents involving genetically engineered viruses, including six genetically engineered coronaviruses accidents, to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In one mishap — in April 2020, 90 days into the pandemic — a UNC researcher was bitten on the index finger by a mouse infected with a novel SARS-CoV-2 variant created in Chapel Hill. While we were shut in our homes, the researcher was asked to self-quarantine for 14 days, and the local health department was notified of the incident…