Tuesday, March 08, 2005

Man-Made Pig Flu?

WN: Wired News:

"Samples taken from South Korean pigs contain genes from a human flu virus created by scientists in 1933, and one American flu researcher says the sequences could represent a dangerous situation for humans.

The World Health Organization, which monitors the worldwide spread of flu, is remaining mum until researchers finish an investigation of the pig samples.

The presence of a man-made human flu virus in pigs may be worrisome for several reasons. First, a man-made virus has no business in pigs -- did the virus get there naturally, or was it a lab accident? More frighteningly, but less likely, was it bioterrorism? Second, viruses often use pigs as a conduit to humans, who would have little or no immune resistance to this particular strain of flu since no one has been exposed to it."

Let's see how this story pans out. I have long wondered why the WHO allows these pig farms in SE Asia to continue like they are, given that they are the root of the flu virus every year. Now it looks like we humans may have let loose a dangerous strain there....