Whether the research on deadliest influenza virus would be more or less safe. Concept introduction: The way in which the virus functions is an important tool for designing the effective vaccine against viral infections. The virus can be spread by bioterrorism attacks, and it would be better to make strategy to study the virus structure and functions to defeat it.

Question

In 1918, an influenza pandemic that originated with avian flu killed 50 million people. Researchers isolated samples of that virus from bodies of infected people preserved in Alaskan permafrost since 1918. From the samples, they sequenced the viral genome, then reconstructed the virus. The reconstructed virus is 39,000 times more infectious than modern influenza strains, and 100 percent lethal in mice. Understanding how this virus works can help us defend ourselves against other deadly influenza strains that arise. For example, discovering what makes it so infectious would help researchers design more effective vaccines. Critics of the research are concerned: If the virus escapes the containment facilities (even though it has not done so yet), it might cause another pandemic. Worse, terrorists could use the published DNA sequence and methods to make the virus for horrific purposes. Do you think this research makes us more or less safe?

Answer 1

Question

Chapter 15, Problem 1CT

Summary Introduction

To explain: Whether the research on deadliest influenza virus would be more or less safe.

Concept introduction: The way in which the virus functions is an important tool for designing the effective vaccine against viral infections. The virus can be spread by bioterrorism attacks, and it would be better to make strategy to study the virus structure and functions to defeat it.

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In 1918, an influenza pandemic that originated with avian flu killed 50 million people. Researchers isolated samples of that virus from bodies of infected people preserved in Alaskan permafrost since 1918. From the samples, they sequenced the viral genome, then reconstructed the virus. The reconstructed virus is 39,000 times more infectious than modern influenza strains, and 100 percent lethal in mice. Understanding how this virus works can help us defend ourselves against other deadly influenza strains that arise. For example, discovering what makes it so infectious would help researchers design more effective vaccines. Critics of the research are concerned: If the virus escapes the containment facilities (even though it has not done so yet), it might cause another pandemic. Worse, terrorists could use the published DNA sequence and methods to make the virus for horrific purposes. Do you think this research makes us more or less safe?

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