Fears over new pox virus developed by US scientists

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.
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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.
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