Daily Telegraph: Scientists bring back deadliest virus in history
Telegraph | News | Scientists bring back deadliest virus in history
The deadliest virus on record has been resurrected from a strain of influenza that was preserved in the frozen body of a victim of the 1918 pandemic and triggered a row about whether the benefits of its recreation outweigh the risks.
The replica 1918 “Spanish flu” virus revealed today in the journal Science shows how the pandemic was caused by a strain of bird flu against which humans had no immunity. The virus penetrated deep into the lungs and killed 50 million people worldwide.
Hmmmm, that seems like a good idea. I can understand how it can “help scientists anticipate which viruses could become pandemic and develop new vaccines and treatments” – I just hope the lab has really good security … from the government too!
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