Blythe Terrell

What it is, is that it is confusing. I mean, the thing is, I don't think anybody is safe. Every scientist, not just virologists. I mean, bacteriologists should be concerned. Cancer biologists should be concerned.

I don't, if it's a war, maybe scientists don't know we're supposed to be fighting. You know, like, I don't, scientists like to ask questions and tinker in the lab and, like, do science. That's why we pick up a pipette.

I don't, if it's a war, maybe scientists don't know we're supposed to be fighting. You know, like, I don't, scientists like to ask questions and tinker in the lab and, like, do science. That's why we pick up a pipette.

I think it's all about, like, what are we defining as dangerous gain-of-function research? This is where I think everyone's like, wait, what does that mean? Does that mean studying antibiotic resistance for treatment of even things like cancer, right? Viruses that are used to treat head and neck cancers that could be caught up in this.

I think it's all about, like, what are we defining as dangerous gain-of-function research? This is where I think everyone's like, wait, what does that mean? Does that mean studying antibiotic resistance for treatment of even things like cancer, right? Viruses that are used to treat head and neck cancers that could be caught up in this.

What it is is that it is confusing because we have regulations in place. We routinely get inspected every year.

What it is is that it is confusing because we have regulations in place. We routinely get inspected every year.

No, no, exactly. Absolutely. This is why it's confusing. We're like, well, what does this mean on top of everything else that already exists?

No, no, exactly. Absolutely. This is why it's confusing. We're like, well, what does this mean on top of everything else that already exists?

It's sad because we do this really well. We are really good at doing science in the U.S. The infrastructure, the amount of resources that have been pumped into scientific research over the last decade, 30, 50 decades, right? This isn't like recent developments. This is like decades of investment in science in the U.S., bipartisan. And that's why we're a superpower.

It's sad because we do this really well. We are really good at doing science in the U.S. The infrastructure, the amount of resources that have been pumped into scientific research over the last decade, 30, 50 decades, right? This isn't like recent developments. This is like decades of investment in science in the U.S., bipartisan. And that's why we're a superpower.

That's why we lead in antivirals, stem cell therapies, immunotherapies. It feels like we may lose that.

That's why we lead in antivirals, stem cell therapies, immunotherapies. It feels like we may lose that.

So... The day has finally come when I get to talk to you about bird flu.

So... The day has finally come when I get to talk to you about bird flu.

Yes, I will. I will. And actually, Wendy, I will say it's been years that we've been talking about bird flu, not mere months.

Yes, I will. I will. And actually, Wendy, I will say it's been years that we've been talking about bird flu, not mere months.

Yeah, right. Yeah. What's different? What's different? That is an extremely fair question. I can say there are a few things that have kind of tipped things over the edge here. And for one thing, we have had like poultry farms being hit super, super hard.

Yeah, right. Yeah. What's different? What's different? That is an extremely fair question. I can say there are a few things that have kind of tipped things over the edge here. And for one thing, we have had like poultry farms being hit super, super hard.

Since the outbreak started in 2022, the avian flu has impacted more than 135 million birds. We're hearing about these super high egg prices, you can't find eggs, which is partly because of bird flu.