My students are learning about gain-of-function research — what should I tell them about COVID?

For over a year now there have been conspiracy theories swirling around that COVID was designed and engineered in a Chinese lab, that the research has its origins in the US, and even in some cases that Anthony Fauci–Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases–is the evil mastermind behind all of this! The timing here is especially relevant to me as I co-teach an undergraduate class on socially responsible and ethical innovation.