In late 2014, an ad hoc committee established by the National Research Council was tasked to organize two public symposia. The first symposium, which was held in December 2014 early in the U.S. government deliberative process on selected Gain-of-Function (GOF) research, examined the underlying scientific and technical questions surrounding the potential risks and benefits of GOF research involving pathogens with pandemic potential. The discussions also described essential elements of risk-benefit assessment to advise NIH on how to shape the assessments for which they planned to contract.

The second symposium, to be held in early 2016, will focus on discussion of the draft recommendations of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) regarding GOF research. This meeting will also include discussions of the results of the risk-benefit assessment commissioned by NIH as well as risk interpretation and analysis to inform decision-making. The second symposium will provide a mechanism to engage the life sciences community as well as solicit feedback on optimal approaches to ensure effective federal oversight of GOF research. The public symposium will not include the development of consensus recommendations, but rather should elicit individual perspectives and robust discussion on the topics described above. Discussions at this symposium will inform the development of the NSABB’s final recommendations.

The 2-day symposium will be webcast and the presentations and background materials will be archived online. An unedited transcript of the symposium will be prepared and released in accordance with institutional guidelines. A designated rapporteur will prepare a summary within 6 weeks of the symposium summarizing the salient points made by presenters, discussants, and members of the public, pertaining to the aforementioned topics. These summaries will inform NSABB and U.S. Government deliberations on the topics.