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Fears over new pox virus developed by US scientists

 
 
Reply Thu 30 Oct, 2003 06:10 am
Quote:
Scientists have genetically modified a virus from the smallpox family to create a super-lethal strain as part of a research programme backed by the US government.
Dr Mark Buller of the University of St Louis, who trained at Glasgow, told the New Scientist his work was part of a programme to defend against possible terrorist threats.
However, other researchers say the work creates unnecessary risks and the virus could prove a threat to humans.
Dr Buller found the deadly form of mousepox - a relative of smallpox - was 100% lethal to mice, even if they had been vaccinated.
He also genetically altered the cowpox virus, capable of infecting a range of animals including humans.
[...]
Dr Buller's experiments, revealed at a biosecurity conference in Geneva last week, were conducted under strict security.
However, Ian Ramshaw, of the Australian National University in Canberra, said: "I have great concern about doing this in a pox virus that can cross species."
Dr Ramshaw was among scientists who accidentally discovered how to make mousepox more deadly three years ago.
[...]When members of the audience in Geneva questioned the need for experiments such as Dr Ramshaw's, an American voice in the back shouted "9/11", prompting murmurs of agreement.
Despite concerns, work on lethal new pox viruses seems likely to continue in the US.
Fears have increased that smallpox could be used in a biological terrorist attack, potentially wiping out large populations.
[...]

link to newspaper source of above quotation


link to original article in NEW SCIENTIST: US develops new lethal new virusses

Just wondering. Shocked
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Type: Discussion • Score: 1 • Views: 716 • Replies: 9
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Wilso
 
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Reply Thu 30 Oct, 2003 06:12 am
What do they need it for????????
0 Replies
 
John Webb
 
  1  
Reply Thu 30 Oct, 2003 07:09 am
A cheap way of invading other nations as part of the War on Terrorism? Twisted Evil
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Ceili
 
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Reply Thu 30 Oct, 2003 10:11 am
What goes around, comes around.
How many so called weapons invented in theh US have been turned against the US and allies.
It's shocking, when will they ever learn.
Ceili
0 Replies
 
pistoff
 
  1  
Reply Thu 30 Oct, 2003 08:27 pm
Another Pre-emptive Strike on Amerika?
Perhaps another attack will come soon. After all Amerika posseses WMDs and has threatened the Axis of Evil
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littlek
 
  1  
Reply Thu 30 Oct, 2003 08:30 pm
Lovely post, Walter. I wonder if we humans will ever cease to find new ways to kills ourselves.
0 Replies
 
RicardoTizon
 
  1  
Reply Thu 30 Oct, 2003 09:17 pm
If Iraq has the same military might as the US, they now have another reason to attack or invade us.
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pistoff
 
  1  
Reply Thu 30 Oct, 2003 09:32 pm
Amerika an immenent threat?
All the nations that Amerika has targeted as valid for overt or covert overthrow of their governments could get together and attack Amerika because America posses an immenent threat to them. A little food for thought.
0 Replies
 
Merry Andrew
 
  1  
Reply Sat 1 Nov, 2003 10:08 pm
What I find ironic is that we get all bent out of shape about countries like Iraq having chemical weapons and countries like N. Korea developing a nuclear capability. Then we, the most nuclear-equipped nation on this planet, turn around and develop a biological weapon to top everyone else's. We say it's for self-defense, of course. Yes, but didn't Saddam claim the same thing? Looking at it from the other fella's point of view, why should they believe us if we don't believe them? At what poiint does "self-defense' become 'aggression'? More to the point, at what point does 'research' turn into 'suicide'?
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Wilso
 
  1  
Reply Sun 2 Nov, 2003 03:40 am
Merry Andrew wrote:
At what poiint does "self-defense' become 'aggression'?


What about when you invade another country for no reason, kill several thousand people, and steal their only asset.
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