[Shasown]

A Dutch laboratory claiming to have developed a deadly strain of bird flu wants to publish its research, sparking fears that terrorists could use the information.

Scientists at the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam say they have been able to mutate the H5N1 virus so that it can be transmitted through the air.

Until now it was thought it could be transmitted between humans only via close physical contact.


The Netherlands team, led by virologist Ron Fouchier, carried out the research to find out how easy it is to genetically mutate the virus into a highly-infectious airborne human flu.

Mr Fouchier said in a statement they discovered that transmission of the virus was possible between humans "and can be carried out more easily than we thought".

"In a laboratory, it was possible to change the H5N1 into a virus... that can easily be spread through the air. This process could also happen naturally," he said.

Mr Fouchier argues that any knowledge gained could be vital in the development of new vaccines.


But critics fear it could escape from the laboratory and spread, or that terrorists could use the research to replicate it.



more: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/terror-fear...114600583.html

Isnt it great what these scientists think up?

[Shaun]

what a genius idea of them

[Smithy]

Lets not find a cure for Cancer, Alzheimers or AIDs, lets create a virus with can be easily transmitted from person to person and can kill them

[Mystic Mock]

Its ridiculous,they should not be trying to create these viruses,they should be trying to stop them.

[Kerry]

Merry Christmas

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by Jesus Christo

Lets not find a cure for Cancer, Alzheimers or AIDs, lets create a virus with can be easily transmitted from person to person and can kill them

That could be the plan, people with AIDS have little or no immunity against viruses, people with Alzheimers will forget about anti viral precautions and people with Cancer will have their immunity lowered by chemo or radiation therapies. Release the mutated virus and get rid of the drains on Health services throughout the world.

Or better yet publish how to mutate the virus, let some terrorist organisation mutate and release it, they take the blame.

[Tom4784]

For a scientist he's incredibly moronic.

[Jords]

Sometimes the most seemingly intelligent are incredibly stupid.