Is gain-of-function research “very harmful”? I feel like it’s not appropriate to nickel-and-dime this.
And also, yes, I do think it’s harmful directly, in addition to eventually in expectation. It’s a substantial derogation of a norm that should exist. To explain this concept further:
In addition to risking pandemics, participating in gain-of-function research also sullies and debases the research community, and makes it less the shape it needs to be culturally to do epidemiology. Refusing to take massive risks with minor upsides, even if they’re cool, is also a virtue cultivation practice.
When a politician talks openly about how he wants to rig elections, exchange military aid for domestic political assistance, etc., he causes direct harm now even if the “plans” do not amount to anything later. This is because the speech acts disrupt the equilibria that make similar things less likely in general.
My comments here are intended as an explicit, loud signal of condemnation. This research is misconduct. Frankly, I am frustrated I have to be the one to say this, when it duly falls to community leaders to do so.
I don’t think we disagree about the harmfulness of this kind of research. Our disagreement is about the probable consequences of going around saying “I think this research is harmful and should stop.”
It’s the classic disagreement about how “righteous” vs. “moderate” a movement should be. “Speaking truth to power” vs. “winning hearts and minds.” I don’t have anything interesting to say here, I was just putting in a vote for a small move towards the “moderate” direction. I defer to the judgment of people who spend more time talking to policymakers and AGI capabilities researchers, and if you are such a person, then I defer to your judgment.
Is gain-of-function research “very harmful”? I feel like it’s not appropriate to nickel-and-dime this.
And also, yes, I do think it’s harmful directly, in addition to eventually in expectation. It’s a substantial derogation of a norm that should exist. To explain this concept further:
In addition to risking pandemics, participating in gain-of-function research also sullies and debases the research community, and makes it less the shape it needs to be culturally to do epidemiology. Refusing to take massive risks with minor upsides, even if they’re cool, is also a virtue cultivation practice.
When a politician talks openly about how he wants to rig elections, exchange military aid for domestic political assistance, etc., he causes direct harm now even if the “plans” do not amount to anything later. This is because the speech acts disrupt the equilibria that make similar things less likely in general.
My comments here are intended as an explicit, loud signal of condemnation. This research is misconduct. Frankly, I am frustrated I have to be the one to say this, when it duly falls to community leaders to do so.
I don’t think we disagree about the harmfulness of this kind of research. Our disagreement is about the probable consequences of going around saying “I think this research is harmful and should stop.”
It’s the classic disagreement about how “righteous” vs. “moderate” a movement should be. “Speaking truth to power” vs. “winning hearts and minds.” I don’t have anything interesting to say here, I was just putting in a vote for a small move towards the “moderate” direction. I defer to the judgment of people who spend more time talking to policymakers and AGI capabilities researchers, and if you are such a person, then I defer to your judgment.