[realpatriot71]

Perhaps you are right vaccinia was actually a mutation from cow pox. I know cow pox was used as the first "vaccination" against small pox when Jenner rubbed the scabs from cow's utters into cuts on the arms. Perhaps I was wrong there, but I thought vaccinia was a mutant form of small pox itself.

Actually it IS similarity of antibodies BECAUSE the coat proteins are so similar. I'm not sure how familiar you are with immunology, but antibodies have to BIND to an antigen FIRST so that the immune system recognizes that the antigen is foreign (or cancer). In this way, since the same antibodies bind BOTH viruses, the body's immunological response is the same.

You're right, if one could get ahold of small pox AND had the technology, then one could alter the coat proteins. Although technically difficult, the protocols are in place for this sort of transformation. And I agree; the Taliban do not have the technology or the brains to pull this off. Thank God.

Luckily, I've been vaccinated against smallpox, but many have not. Let hope and pray this virus is NEVER unleashed in this country. And to think we actually had the gall to think we had "erradicated" smallpox from the earth. Humans can be so arrogant.

[bonesmccoy]

I'm very familiar with immunology. However, the coat proteins in the virus up-regulate the plasma cells which produce the immunoglobulins in question. So, yes, you are correct regarding the similarity in the antibodies, but I think most immunologists would phrase it as similarity in the protein coating of the various similar virus antigens in the smallpox family (ok science mode off for now!)