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Dutch Researcher Created A Super-Influenza Virus With The Potential To Kill Millions

A Dutch researcher has created a virus with the potential to kill
half of the planet’s population. Now, researchers and experts in
bioterrorism debate whether it is a good idea to publish the virus
creation ”recipe”. However, several voices argue that such research
should have not happened in the first place.

The virus is a strain of avian influenza H5N1 genetically modified to
be extremely contagious. It was created by researcher Ron Fouchier of
the Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Netherlands. The work was first
presented at a conference dedicated to influenza, that took place in
September in Malta.

Avian influenza emerged in Asia about 10 years ago. Since then there
were fewer than 600 infection cases reported in humans. On the other
hand, Fouchier’s genetically modified strain is extremely contagious
and dangerous, killing about 50% of infected patients. The former
strain did not represent a global threat, as transmission from human to
human is rare. Or, at least, it was before Fouchier genetically modified
it.

Fouchier and his team used a pair of ferrets for testing because they
react in similar ways as humans, when exposed to the flu virus.
Researchers transmitted the deadly virus from one ferret to another, in
order to make the virus more adaptable to a new host. After 10
generations, the virus has mutated allowing it to spread through air.
The result was that ferrets could get sick just being near another
infected animal.

A genetic study showed that new virus strain presented five
mutations, and all could be also observed in nature - but only
separately, not all five combined. Fouchier’s strain is as contagious as
seasonal human influenza, which kills tens of thousands of people, just
that, much more lethal.

“I can not think of a pathogenic organism to be more dangerous than
this one”, commented Paul Keim, a specialist in microbial genetics who
worked for many years with the anthrax bacillus. “I think the anthrax is
not at all scary, when compared with this virus” , he added.
Keim is the coordinator of the U.S. National Committee dedicated to
biosecurity issues and now he has to make a decision. If Fouchier wants
to publish his study detailing how the virus was created, Keim’s
and his committee must approve.

Many scientists are concerned about possible negative
consequences that could precede the publication of this research. There
are many fears regarding bioterrorists that might find useful tips or a
whole ’recipe’ to plan biological attacks. Demands are beeing made for
the establishment of an international institution to oversee such
dangerous research projects.

“It’s just a bad idea for scientists to turn a lethal virus into a
lethal and highly contagious virus. And it’s a second bad idea for them
to publish how they did it so others can copy it,” believes Dr. Thomas Inglesby, a bioterrorism expert.

On the other hand, if the study becomes available for the scientific
community, it could allow researchers to ”be prepared” for a potential
H5N1 pandemic. Since Fouchier’s study suggests that the risk for this to
occur is greater than previously thought. Some researchers believe that
banning the paper will leave mankind helpless if the virus naturally
mutates and becomes contagious.

Please read our follow-up here. We are discussing about potential benefits and especially risks.

Source: http://www.doctortipster.com/6952-dutch-researcher-created-a-super-influenza-virus-with-the-potential-to-kill-millions.html
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