Monday, November 28, 2011

Scary: Scientists make flu virus that could wipe out civilization

1918 flu pandemic

Perhaps something useful was learned from this experiment, but the risks far outweigh the rewards. The scientists involved should be punished.

The Daily Mail:
A group of scientists is pushing to publish research about how they created a man-made flu virus that could potentially wipe out civilization.

The deadly virus is a genetically tweaked version of the H5N1 bird flu strain, but is far more infectious and could pass easily between millions of people at a time.
The research has caused a storm of controversy and divided scientists, with some saying it should never have been carried out.

4 comments:

Da Curly Wolf said...

what was that line from Jurassic Park about 'just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should'? YEs we should do research on it, even play with possible permutations of the virii to come up with workable, viable vaccines. But PUBLISH the work? The man is out of his fucking mind.

Ric 'The Turtle' Ryan said...

This is nothing new. The scientist who invented the atomic bomb, at least some of them, argued that they believed if the atomic bomb was set off it would start a chain reaction that would turn the earth into a miniture sun. The military did it anyhow, that is scary. What is really scary is that it could get loose totally by accident. The question is who funds this crap. Somehow I know the answer is us taxpayers. Which makes it even sadder.

Da Curly Wolf said...

Ric...the research does need to be done. I actually agree with that part of it..see my previous response for why. But as I said..to PUBLISH that knowledge?

Ric 'The Turtle' Ryan said...

Da Curly Wolf, I see we agree on politics at least our view of politicians. My only view on the biological thing is if you don't create it you do not have to kill it and hopefully no one will steal it...I understand your view though I spent thirteen years in the Army and am definitely a know your enemy type person. I invite you to check my blog http://rictheturtleryan.blogspot.com/ or send me yours. I am new at this. So I do not know how to get around yet.