Swine Flu May Be Human Error; WHO Investigates Claim

[katty]

more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601124&sid=aShZig0Cig4g&refer=home

Swine Flu May Be Human Error; WHO Investigates Claim (Update1)
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By Jason Gale and Simeon Bennett

May 13 (Bloomberg) -- The World Health Organization is investigating a claim by an Australian researcher that the swine flu virus circling the globe may have been created as a result of human error.

Adrian Gibbs, 75, who collaborated on research that led to the development of Roche Holding AG’s Tamiflu drug, said in an interview that he intends to publish a report suggesting the new strain may have accidentally evolved in eggs scientists use to grow viruses and drugmakers use to make vaccines. Gibbs said he came to his conclusion as part of an effort to trace the virus’s origins by analyzing its genetic blueprint.

“One of the simplest explanations is that it’s a laboratory escape,” Gibbs said in an interview with Bloomberg Television today. “But there are lots of others.”

[bkkyosemite]

1. People have died, killers.

[SoCalNative]

2. Do you think they really care?

I don't.

[Seldona]

7. Care?

I figured they would laugh and high five each other.

[valerief]

3. As long as Donald Rumsfeld is rich, all is right with the world.

:sarcasm:

[kestrel91316]

4. If this is the case, how on earth did it break out in RURAL MEXICO

to start with, rather than in or near a biotech facility that worked with the virus?

[bkkyosemite]

5. Perhaps experimentation.........on the little guy.

[kestrel91316]

6. I dunno, this whole theory is a bit of a stretch for me. Flu viruses have

no trouble whatsoever mixing their genetic material up in the natural world, thanks to pigs being able to be infected with swine AND human AND avian flu simultaneously. I consider it entirely feasible that this virus arose in a pig naturally. Doesn't mean there WASN'T a human hand in it. I just think that's unlikely.