Releasing a lethal flu to the world

TheState.com ^ | October 16th, 2005 | Charles Krauthammer

[Termite_Commander]

Just to be argumentative, since we’ve endured a pandemic already, we have a natural immunity, though it will be weakened because of the period of time that has elapsed. Also, I believe we may have a vaccine for the 1918 strain. I’m not sure, but remember reading that the aforementioned pandemic strain was determined to be H1N1 avian flu, and I think that H1N1 may have a vaccine already developed. Not sure, though.

Still, an interesting article.

[Porterville]

Bio-terror??? When I put my Art-Bell Bigfoot cap on, I think the gov is psyched because of some terrorist threat.

[meanie monster]

Where evah this flu came from, and, where it is going, I am watching it closely...

[Eastbound]

"First, it is a scientific achievement of staggering proportions."

Scientific Explorer # 1 somewhere near the North Pole: -- 'Hey, Oswald! We got our choice here. Check this out, pilgrum.'

Scientific Explorer # 2: -- 'Hey, cool, man.

# 1: -- 'Not only cool, Ozzy. The dang things are frozen solid! What say we chip away at this little thing here and take it back?'

# 2: -- 'I'm with you there, pardner. That monster with the tusks would take a week to get a sample and it would take another month to drag it back through the snow.'

# 1: -- 'Check! Okay, the bird it is. If we run out of food we can always eat the thing.'

[jennyp]

Just to be argumentative, since we’ve endured a pandemic already, we have a natural immunity, though it will be weakened because of the period of time that has elapsed.

Only those who were around in 1918 would possibly still be immune.

OTOH, if anyone in 1918 had a genetic mutation that conferred some natural resistance to the flu, the 1918 pandemic would have altered the gene pool slightly in favor of those who were more resistant. So there's a slight chance that we (who are younger than age 87) have more natural resistance to the flu's effects than they did.

[taxesareforever]

Could this be driven by money? I mean, now that they have opened pandora's box won't the drug companies be seeking billions from the government to prevent the spread of this disease? They may say it is in the name of knowledge but I believe it has to do with a whole lot of money and challenge that was there.

[samtheman]

Can we know the names of the geniuses who made the decision to:

1) resurrect this virus

2) release the code to the world?

[samtheman]

We get to know Einstein's name. And we get to know Hitler's. The people who resurrected and then released this virus are either Einsteins or Hitlers. They deserve the full spotlight of public acclaim. Like an Einstein. Or a Hitler.

[Jim Noble]

Anybody, bad guys included, can now create it

Not exactly..

[CDHart]

"Not exactly.."

Why not? I know little about this science but am finding it alarming to say the least.

Carolyn

[no dems]

Louis Farrakhan is on record saying that George Bush had the virus created to kill of black people. (Sarc.)

[cynicom]

As a physician, Charles has more than a passing knowledge of the subject.

[Paved Paradise]

Just one small flaw with the concept of using flu as a weapon. There is no way for the people who unleash it to confine it's spread. Unlike a nuke which you can detonate thousands of miles from yourself, thus keeping yourself and your family safe, this is like a Pandora's box. In other words, pretty stupid, if you ask me.

[Jim Noble]

"Not exactly.." Why not?

Molecular engineering is not like building IEDs.

[pawdoggie]

Just one small flaw with the concept of using flu as a weapon. There is no way for the people who unleash it to confine it's spread. Unlike a nuke which you can detonate thousands of miles from yourself, thus keeping yourself and your family safe, this is like a Pandora's box. In other words, pretty stupid, if you ask me.

My sediments exactly. The industrialized world will find ways to deal with an epidemic. In the Third World where most of the jihadis live, this stuff would snuff out untold millions (okay, tens of thousands) of potential homicide bombers. Reminds me of why Hitler didn't use his supply of nerve and blood agents against the Allies (other than Hitler's memory of his own gassing in WWI): the German Army was dependent on horse drawn transport that would have been destroyed by Allied chemical retaliation.

[grayforkbeard]

This is not a problem for members of an apocalyptic religion like Islam. To them this is a very good idea. They get to die and receive their 72 virgins and all the infidels’ just die.

[Little Ray]

Heh!
Very few people know that! Have you ever seen a gas mask for a horse?

[Paved Paradise]

I don't think the people "running the show" are such martyrs as you think. Of course, one can't assume anything about particular individuals and their warped thinking. I think the guys in charge are gutless wimps and that's why they get the little peons to be the suicide bombers. You'lll never see Bin Laden or Zarquawi or these types doing the dirty deeds. A bunch of cowards!

[grayforkbeard]

Heh!
Very few people know that! Have you ever seen a gas mask for a horse?

Yes.

[Little Ray]

That's pretty cool. I was always amazed by how much horse-drawn stuff the Wehrmacht had. I've seen pictures of the gas masks for the critters, too. Always thought it was pretty hopeless myself, though. Imagine trying to get one on a horse, esp. if its panicky.