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| Remember H1N1? Say "Hai!" to H5N1 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 29 2011, 05:16 AM (210 Views) | |
| George K | Nov 29 2011, 05:16 AM Post #1 |
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Finally
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Engineered Avian Flu Could Kill Half the World's Humans This isn't a movie. It's not a classic Science Fiction book. This is the real story of a scientist who created a virus with the power to litter the Earth with billions of dead bodies. OK, now breathe. Or maybe don't—the virus is airborne. In his Netherlands laboratory, virologist Ron Fouchier was experimenting with the avian flu virus to see how it could become even more virulent. (Red flag.) His research involved spreading it throughout a population of ferrets, and he noticed that as the virus reproduced, it adapted to spread even faster. (RED FLAG.) Not worried about ferret flu? Previous research has shown that any strains of influenza that can pass between ferrets can also pass between humans. (RED FLAAAAAAAAAG.) Ten generations later, his efforts had created an airborne strain with the power could kill half the human population. (RED F*CKING FLAG, DUDE!) Fouchier, who conducted his research at Erasmus Medical Centre admitted that the new strain is "probably one of the most dangerous viruses you can make." He presented his work at the influenza conference in Malta this September. Now he wants to publish his study in a scientific journal, so those responsible for responding to bioterrorism can be prepared for the worst case scenario. Seems like a no-brainer, right? Not exactly. The research has set off alarms among colleagues who are urging Fouchier not to publish, for fear the recipe could wind up in the wrong hands. Some question whether the research should have been done in the first place. Fair point! Typically H5N1 affects birds, but about 10 years ago it emerged in humans, first in Asia, then traveling around the world. Human cases are rare—about 600 total—but they are deadly, killing about half the people infected. The reason avian flu isn't more common is because it's not an airborne contagion—at least it hasn't been until now. With the un-engineered version, you have to touch something that's been contaminated to get sick. But Fouchier's version is airborne, meaning being in the vicinity of the disease and breathing it in would be enough to contract it. It's as contagious as the human seasonal flu, but much more deadly. And now Fouchier wants to publish how he made it that way. His fellow bioterrorism experts are thinking that's maybe not the best idea, because then anyone who got their hands on the paper could reproduce Fouchier's results. Microbial geneticist Paul Keim, an anthrax expert and chair of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (which will decide whether Fouchier can publish) told Science Insider:
But Fouchier and a handful of other scientists who have performed similar experiments believe publishing would help the scientific community prepare for an H5N1 pandemic. Not publishing, they say, could leave researchers in the dark as to how to respond to an outbreak. But a pandemic made possible in the first place by the publication creates a bit of a chicken and egg question—and that's why the NSAB has an unenviably difficult decision to make. |
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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| John D'Oh | Nov 29 2011, 05:27 AM Post #2 |
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MAMIL
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I think we all know this is going to end. Dr. Fouchier is abducted by some guy with a serious disability, a funny accent and a cat, the Scotsman Who Shall Not Be Named is forced out of retirement along with his ridiculous toupe, and after many shenanigans, a small desert island blows up. Let's just hope that everyone else has read the script. |
| What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket? | |
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| Mikhailoh | Nov 29 2011, 05:28 AM Post #3 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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Not difficult at all. The information needs to be shared with those who can develop countermeasures. I guess the real question is the legitimacy of enhancing deadly viruses. |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| Luke's Dad | Nov 29 2011, 05:30 AM Post #4 |
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Emperor Pengin
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Wait one damn minute. H5N1 sounds like Captain Trips from The Stand by Stephen King. The evil guy in The Stand was Randall Flagg who went by other names in other King books......Raymond Fiegler......Richard Fannin. Now you tell me the scientist that created this is named Ron Fouchier? |
| The problem with having an open mind is that people keep trying to put things in it. | |
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| George K | Nov 29 2011, 05:44 AM Post #5 |
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Finally
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Bwahhhhahah! |
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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| Nobody's Sock | Nov 29 2011, 05:44 AM Post #6 |
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Fulla-Carp
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IT's time to make a STAND! CUJO help me CARRIE the secret TALISMAN to the DARK TOWER? That is the only way to stop this. Or else this whole place will be a DEAD ZONE with just a SKELETON CREW of survivors. |
| "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." | |
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| Mikhailoh | Nov 29 2011, 05:50 AM Post #7 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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It'll be one big Sematary. |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| George K | Nov 29 2011, 05:51 AM Post #8 |
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Finally
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With the moonlight SHINING on it. |
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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| Luke's Dad | Nov 29 2011, 05:59 AM Post #9 |
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Emperor Pengin
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Keep yucking it up. Me? I'm headed for Mother Abigail's. Might stop by a gun store and see about picking up a pair of blue-steel revolvers with sandalwood grips, too. |
| The problem with having an open mind is that people keep trying to put things in it. | |
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| JBryan | Nov 29 2011, 06:23 AM Post #10 |
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I am the grey one
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M-o-o-n, that spells revolver. |
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"Any man who would make an X rated movie should be forced to take his daughter to see it". - John Wayne There is a line we cross when we go from "I will believe it when I see it" to "I will see it when I believe it". Henry II: I marvel at you after all these years. Still like a democratic drawbridge: going down for everybody. Eleanor: At my age there's not much traffic anymore. From The Lion in Winter. | |
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| Copper | Nov 29 2011, 06:51 AM Post #11 |
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Shortstop
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I can't think of too many things that humans can do that they haven't done. If this can really be done it probably will. |
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The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy | |
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4:17 PM Jul 10