US develops deadly new pox virus

[LibLabUK]

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. 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.

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. Some researchers think the latest research is risky and unnecessary.



source: http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994318

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Not really sure what to think about this.

[La_Serpiente]

1. WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY MAKING MORE VIRUSES FOR

HAVEN'T THEY GOT ENOUGH WEAPONS ALREADY???!!!!????? WHY DO THEY NEED A FRICKING MOUSEPOX BIOCHEMICAL WEAPON!!!!

THIS IS BEYOND ME. WE ALREADY HAVE THE NUCLEAR BOMB, HYDROGEN BOMB, ANTHRAX, RICIN, DEPLETED URANIUM, A WHOLE SHITLOAD OF MISSLES, AND NOW WE HAVE MOUSEPOX???? WHAT KIND OF HUBRIS ARE WE BUILDING HERE!!!

[DuctapeFatwa]

2. There is a very logical explanation

...And advanced forms of biological warfare
that can "target" specific genotypes may
transform biological warfare from the realm
of terror to a politically useful tool....


http://www.newamericancentury.org/RebuildingAmericasDefenses.pdf

[La_Serpiente]

3. OH my gawd

they actually wrote that crap?

that is fucking disgusting.

This should be a political issue next year.

[alwynsw]

4. Whether I agree or not, I can see the reasoning

If we can make it, someone else can make it.

If I read the article correctly, the purpose in developing this is to find ways to counter it.

Before I get flamed, I'm just stating the obvious. Like it or not, it's analogous to crash testing cars.