Article

2006-07-31 Science & Technology

Custom-Built Pathogens Raise Bioterror Fears

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Posted by Steve White 2006-07-31 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11131 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 And this is probably how man, or at least most of mankind, will end. We truly appreciate all those who are diligently serving this market with the wherewithal to bring it about. Sadly, that new Mercedes and the summer house will do them no good when their efforts are finaly realized. I will probably be one of the survivors because I don't really care. But I promise I'll take good care of the car and the house...

Posted by Supple Whomper9999 2006-07-31 02:46|| 2006-07-31 02:46|| Front Page Top

#2 I worry about this kind of tech in the hands of eco-terrorists much more than Islamo-terrorists.

BTW, the article doesn't mention that engineered infectious agents could be used as a extremely effective weapon in a state to state war, if you had a vaccine.

Posted by phil_b">phil_b 2006-07-31 04:34|| http://autonomousoperation.blogspot.com/]">[http://autonomousoperation.blogspot.com/] 2006-07-31 04:34|| Front Page Top

#3 I wonder how hard it would be to create a defense? Distributed labs (and believe me, would want more than one, some out in the open, others with deep cover) that could quickly find, sequence, replicate and crank out vaccines for new, engineered viruses. You would have to constantly be monitoring the blood supply, looking for viruses like small pox that had a long incubation period, so you would want some sort of field presence at major hospitals and bloodbanks. Then you would need a super-robust distribution system.

Posted by 11A5S 2006-07-31 06:49|| 2006-07-31 06:49|| Front Page Top

#4 Airborne diseases will spread faster than a virus can be sequenced, analyzed, vaccine synthesized, distributed, administered, and immunity built up.

That said. Microbial warfare is not something a certain religion wants to engage in. The US is the leader in genetic engineering and with our low population density, redundant infrastructure, diverse racial profile, and world leading medical facilities, will come out of any such war in better shape than any other society.

Posted by ed 2006-07-31 07:09|| 2006-07-31 07:09|| Front Page Top

#5 You also have nukes.

Posted by Bright Pebbles 2006-07-31 07:20|| 2006-07-31 07:20|| Front Page Top

#6 I don't think we should worry about Muzzies producing bio-warfare agents. Russia, or China, selling them some is a worry.

Posted by gromgoru 2006-07-31 11:16|| 2006-07-31 11:16|| Front Page Top

#7 I remember a period (around the time of the 2003 invasion, I think) when there were intense discussions about the risks of bio and chem warfare here at Rantburg. The conclusion at the time, as I understood it, was that the most virulent diseases burn out quickly because too large a proportion of the hosts die off before spreading the disease very far, and the ones the spread most effectively are perforce much less deadly -- hence giving time to isolate carriers and develop innoculations and cures -- but that nonetheless I should keep my pantry stocked with a good month's worth of survival rations, and ensure Mr. Wife and the trailing daughters can work from home at need. Oh, and because of our suburban, large-pantry-ed lifestyle, the US is best situated of the advanced countries to survive epidemics and pandemics, whether natural or man-made.

Does that consensus still hold?

Posted by trailing wife 2006-07-31 15:38|| 2006-07-31 15:38|| Front Page Top

#8 I'm with you TW, a large well stocked Pantry is a Southern Standard.
We might miss things like fresh veggies and Milk, but we could live off our own pantry a good month or so.
And to ensure we get to enjoy that well stocked Pantry, we also have another Southern Tradition, the well stocked Gun Cabinet.
One each provides wonderful peace of mind, even if never used in emergencies.

Posted by Redneck Jim 2006-07-31 20:26|| 2006-07-31 20:26|| Front Page Top

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