Thread: Sometimes scientists are just fucking stupid.

Originally Posted by AetheLove

No.

Some completely not fucking stupid scientists (probably virologists) looked at H5N1 in terms of what common mutations might occur. Their findings were that it would take only a few simple, common, mutations for H5N1 to become both easily mammal-to-mammal transmissible and stay as, or more, lethal. The mutations in question have already been seen in the wild, just not (yet) all at the same time.

H5N1 has been around a long time, and no really scary strain has emerged in the wild. Other labs have tried to create one, and failed.

So, if the question is; "Should we put a lot of effort into the study of H5 strains so that if a really bad version emerges we'll know more about it and have a better chance to combat it?"; then the answer used to be "no", but is now "Holy crap, yes!"

At least, that's what's in the article.

Cheers,



AetheLove

I think you know that bullshit as much as i do.

Originally Posted by SmokenScion

Or common sense for that matter.

Nor proper grammar.

Also have to agree with Ae on this one. In fact, I'd imagine that if one were to ask TPG's own resident Virologist he'd also agree. It's kind of necessary to know what you're facing and what you might potentially face in the future.

Originally Posted by AetheLove

Hey, I'm not the one who posted the article. I suppose it's possible I'm the only one who read it.

I keep up with Schneier's blog, and he also mentioned it:

Schneier on Security: Full Disclosure in Biology

... in particular the effectiveness of the sort of security being contemplated for publication. He has a link to Science Magazine:

Scientists Brace for Media Storm Around Controversial Flu Studies - ScienceInsider

... where other virologists speak in support of this type of research.

So, given your initial post and your response to me, I'm tempted to ask: what was your point?

If you were saying "Hey, this is interesting", then I agree - but that's pretty much the end of any discussion. You asserted that the work was being done for no apparent reason. The article itself gives plausible reason. I'm not a virologist, but I know this isn't the first (or even the 10th, or the 100th) time that people who do this work have worked on things that are exceptionally dangerous.

Also, they weren't creating something from scratch. They were testing the possibility and likelihood that something which already exists in the wild could turn into something terrible on its own.

Granted, all that is just taking the article at face value. Maybe something devious is going on. Is that what you think?

Cheers,


AetheLove

I read it. I just dont believe a word they say. This is nothing more then biological warfare. The chances of this turning into what they made are almost 0.

Originally Posted by Alundil

Also have to agree with Ae on this one. In fact, I'd imagine that if one were to ask TPG's own resident Virologist he'd also agree. It's kind of necessary to know what you're facing and what you might potentially face in the future.

Bullshit. We may face a bacteria that causes zombies. That doesn't mean you go looking to make one. Part of our problem as a species is our self destructive nature. You'll never find an animal going out looking for the bigger better killer.