Revealing Biosecurity Blunders: GMO Escapes in UK Labs Spark Concerns

Several biosecurity lapses in British research facilities, including the loss of a genetically modified mouse and an accidental release of a smallpox-like pathogen, have come to light but were kept concealed until now.

MailOnline has uncovered six laboratory incidents involving the escape of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from containment in the past five years, with four of these occurring before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research involving genetically modified pathogens has faced heightened scrutiny since the pandemic's outbreak, with some speculating that similar experiments might have contributed to the emergence of COVID-19.

These incidents have led to calls for stricter regulations regarding research that intentionally modifies viruses and bacteria, as concerns grow.

It's essential to note that none of the uncovered incidents were considered high-risk by leading experts. However, Dr. Richard Ebright, a vocal critic of "gain of function" experiments, emphasized that such accidents are more frequent than commonly thought. He called for increased oversight and regulation in this field of research.

The uncovered incidents, dating back to 2018, were brought to light through a Freedom of Information request.

One incident involved a genetically modified type of mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis. The Government's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) attributed the accident to a power failure during work with the bacteria. The report did not specify the potential exposure, its duration, or the cause of the power outage.

Tuberculosis, often regarded as a Victorian-era illness, still claims 1.5 million lives globally each year, primarily through airborne transmission.

Two other incidents involved genetically modified versions of trypanosoma cruzi, a microscopic parasite responsible for Chagas disease, which is potentially fatal if left untreated and typically transmitted through insect bites.

In the first incident, which occurred in 2018-19, a lab worker accidentally injected themselves with the parasite. The second incident involved a leak from a container containing the parasite. No further details were provided.

Both mycobacterium tuberculosis and trypanosoma cruzi are classified as "Group 3" pathogens in the UK for research purposes by the HSE. This classification recognizes the potential for these pathogens to cause severe human diseases and pose a serious hazard to employees. There is also a risk of these pathogens spreading to the community in case of an accident. In comparison, the Ebola virus is classified as "Group 4," the highest level of research regulation.

Another incident involved a vaccinia virus, closely related to smallpox, a contagious disease eradicated in the 1980s thanks to a global immunization campaign. Similar to one of the trypanosoma cruzi incidents, a lab worker accidentally pricked themselves with a syringe containing the virus in 2018-19. The vaccinia virus is classified as a Group 2 pathogen in the UK, indicating a slightly lower risk than mycobacterium tuberculosis and trypanosoma cruzi.

Two other accidents related to genetic modification research were recorded in 2020-21. One involved a genetically modified mouse that became unaccounted for, although the specific purpose of the research is undisclosed. The incident was classified as "non-notifiable" by HSE, indicating a lower risk to the public.

The final incident concerned an unintended release of wastewater in the research involving genetically altered plants. Unfortunately, the available data did not disclose the nature of the research's objectives.

Dr. Ebright noted that none of these incidents involved pathogens likely to spark a new pandemic, listing examples such as avian influenza, coronaviruses like SARS and MERS, smallpox, and the pathogens responsible for diseases like Ebola.

While information on lab accidents is not regularly published by law, laboratories are obliged to report incidents to the HSE. Labs conducting genetic modifications also have to notify the HSE of any accidents during the process.

Dr. Filippa Lentzos, a biosecurity expert at King's College London and part of Global Biolabs, emphasized that the severity of these accidents depends on the specific modifications researchers are making to pathogens, making it difficult to assess the true risk without more information. She also acknowledged the transparency of labs in the UK, which is a distinguishing feature compared to some other countries where similar research is conducted secretly.

The HSE stated that laboratories intending to work with genetically modified organisms must comply with multiple legislative frameworks rigorously regulated by the organization.

The debate among experts about what constitutes "gain of function" research remains a complex and ongoing issue. Some studies may unintentionally create more dangerous pathogens while modifying them to understand better how they infect cells.