2006/09/18 by Vivian S. W. Chan · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Biology #Biotechnology #Business #CRISPR and Genetic Engineering #Computational biology #Gene #Genetically engineered #Genetically modified organism #Genetics #Recombinant DNA #Risk analysis (engineering) #Vector (molecular biology) #Viral Infectious Diseases and Gene Expression in Insects #Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology #Virology #Virus
paper · doi:10.1080/15287390600751405
openalex publication_date 2006/09/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Despite major therapeutic advances, infectious diseases remain highly problematic. Recent advancements in technology in producing DNA-based vaccines, together with the growing knowledge of the immune system, have provided new insights into the identification of the epitopes needed to target the development of highly targeted vaccines. Genetically modified (GM) viruses and genetically engineered virus-vector vaccines possess significant unpredictability and a number of inherent harmful potential hazards. For all these vaccines, safety assessment concerning unintended and unwanted side effects with regard to targeted vaccinees has always been the main focus. Important questions concerning effects on nontargeted individuals within the same species or other species remain unknown. Horizontal transfer of genes, though lacking supportive experimental or epidemiological investigations, is well established. New hybrid virus progenies resulting from genetic recombination between genetically engineered vaccine viruses and their naturally occurring relatives may possess totally unpredictable characteristics with regard to host preferences and disease-causing potentials. Furthermore, when genetically modified or engineered virus particles break down in the environment, their nuclei acids are released. Appropriate risk management is the key to minimizing any potential risks to humans and environment resulting from the use of these GM vaccines. There is inadequate knowledge to define either the probability of unintended events or the consequences of genetic modifications. The objective of this article is to highlight the limitations in environmental risk assessment and raise awareness of the potential risks involving the use of genetically modified viruses and genetically engineered virus-vector vaccines.