“We want to address the false and inaccurate reporting about Boston University COVID-19 research, which appeared today in the Daily Mail,” said the BU statement. “First, this research is not gain-of-function research, meaning it did not amplify the Washington state SARS-CoV-2 virus strain or make it more dangerous. In fact, this research made the virus replicate less dangerous.”

The school said the Daily Mail’s reporting was sensationalized and took data from research on mice out of context.

“The animal model that was used was a particular type of mouse that is highly susceptible, and 80 to 100 percent of the infected mice succumb to disease from the original strain, the so-called Washington strain,” the school said. “Whereas Omicron causes a very mild disease in these animals.”

Source: Boston University calls Daily Mail report on COVID-19 research ‘false, inaccurate’