In a recent and controversial scientific development, a group of Chinese researchers have engineered a new variant of the COVID-19 virus, called GX_P2V. The study, published in preliminary form on the preprint site bioRxiv (I link it here), revealed that GX_P2V caused 100% mortality in “humanized” mice, showing incredible virulence especially at the brain level.
A terrible toll: 100% mortality
Chinese research demonstrated unprecedented mortality: all mice infected with the GX_P2V variant died within eight days of infection. This surprisingly rapid mortality rate raises new questions about the safety and ethics of viral research. The virus has shown a particular propensity to infect the brain, causing such serious damage that it inevitably leads to the death of animals.
Before death, the mice showed worrying symptoms: rapid weight loss, hunched posture, extremely slow movements and a visible change in their eyes, which turned completely white a day before death. These symptoms indicate an aggressive progression of the virus, with worrying implications if transmitted in a human context.
What is meant by “humanized” mice?
In the case of studying the GX_P2V variant of COVID-19, mice were genetically modified to express the human ACE2 receptor in their tissues. This receptor is known to be a key entry point for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, into human tissues. Using these modified mice, researchers can more accurately study how this virus variant interacts with the human body and what effects it has, providing valuable information that may not be obtainable with standard animal models.
GX_P2V variant: risks and concerns
The creation of GX_P2V raised a wave of criticism. Experts like Francois Balloux from University College London's Genetics Institute labeled the research “terrible” and “scientifically useless”. The main concerns concern the safety of such experiments and the risks associated with the creation of a viral variant so potentially dangerous for humans.
Some see this as an opportunity to learn more about viral mechanisms, others warn of the dangers of such experiments, especially considering the current global pandemic.
Future perspectives
The scientific community is now at a crossroads. On the one hand, there is the possibility of better understanding viruses and their variants; on the other, the fear of accidentally creating an even greater threat. This research requires careful consideration, not only in terms of scientific findings but also in terms of ethical responsibility and global safety.
The case of the GX_P2V variant shows that the line between advanced research and potential risk is thin. Efforts to prevent and better understand viruses such as COVID-19 do not ignore the possible consequences, research goes hand in hand with ethical responsibility and global security.
