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To: snickeroon
>>One of many questions: are we sure that the strain that will be used by terrorists is standard smallpox<<

No, but the feasibility of engineering viruses (which is simple in the movies) is unclear. I myself doubt that viruses can be made more virulent without damaging them in other ways.

>>Also, we do not have to be innoculated UNLESS there is absolute certainty that we are being exposed....correct?????<<

The State cannot require you to be immunized, but they can quarantine you against your will if you refuse.

I don't think vaccine refusal is going to be much of an issue after an attack...

50 posted on 11/21/2002 5:27:29 AM PST by Jim Noble
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To: Jim Noble
No, but the feasibility of engineering viruses (which is simple in the movies) is unclear. I myself doubt that viruses can be made more virulent without damaging them in other ways.

I imagine genetic engineering is like any other form of engineering: the engineer must make a series of choices, and each choice limits his future options. For example, ebola is a very lethal virus. It is, however, extremely fragile--exposing it to five seconds of direct sunlight (or an artificial equivalent) is sufficient to kill it.

53 posted on 11/21/2002 8:30:03 AM PST by Poohbah
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