US Develops Lethal New Viruses

[Shyriath]

http://www.spacedaily.com/news/terrorwar-03t.html

London - Oct 30, 2003
The British science journal New Scientist reports that a scientist funded by the US government has deliberately created an extremely deadly form of mousepox, a relative of the smallpox virus, through genetic engineering. The new virus kills all mice even if they have been given antiviral drugs as well as a vaccine that would normally protect them.

According to New Scientist the work has not stopped there.

"The cowpox virus, which infects a range of animals including humans, has been genetically altered in a similar way," wrote New Scientist, adding "The new virus, which is about to be tested on animals, should be lethal only to mice, Mark Buller of the University of St Louis told New Scientist. He says his work is necessary to explore what bioterrorists might do."

But the research brings closer the prospect of pox viruses that cause only mild infections in humans being turned into diseases lethal even to people who have been vaccinated. And vaccines are currently our main defence against smallpox and its relatives, such as the monkeypox that reached the US this year.

Shall we start placing bets on how long it'll be before we wipe ourselves out with one of these?

[Tempest]

1. Have you read "The Stand" by Steven King?

Exact scenerio as the book.

Things fall apart; the center cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all convictions, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

- W.B. Yeats, 'The Second Coming'

[Frangible]

2. "work is necessary to explore what bioterrorists might do?"

Yeah, cause viruses never mutate or get out of control or anything...