What are the risks and ethical concerns associated with gain-of-function research on pathogens, particularly regarding pandemic prevention?

Gain-of-function research poses significant risks because scientists can conduct potentially dangerous experiments without recognizing their pandemic potential. The current regulatory framework allows researchers to modify pathogens as long as they're not deliberately trying to create pandemic threats, but scientists have limited ability to predict the dangers of novel experiments. The Wuhan Institute's 2018 proposal to add furin cleavage sites to wild SARS-like viruses exemplifies this problem - researchers didn't classify it as dangerous gain-of-function research despite its potential to enhance human infectivity. This highlights the critical tension between scientific advancement and public safety, emphasizing the need for stricter oversight and better risk assessment protocols.