Click here (Nature) to read about recently released scientific research into transmission prospects for a deadly influenza strain...
Do you think this data should have been released to the public? Why or why not? What are the potential (perceived) 'apocalyptic' dimensions of this?
11 comments:
This article presents an interesting situation. The authors have essentially laid out a road map on how to engineer a potentially lethal virus strain. However, I do agree that information such as this should be openly published. While it does create the scenario that others may try to use this information for harmful purposes, such as bio-terrorists, it also creates more research opportunities into how to better combat a virus such as this. The potential apocalyptic aspect of releasing this information comes from a Resident Evil type scenario (though obviously not a zombie virus)in which someone tries to harness the virus and mutate it so that it would have detrimental effects on human population. Though, given the information presented as well as the mechanics in attempting something like this, this situation seems a bit unlikely.
-Erica
I found this article really interesting. I think the data and results and such should most definitly be published. Though I see the worry behind someone using it to cause an outbreak to occur. I think an outbreak is always possible even without the release of scientific information. Perhaps by publishing this though, it may open peoples eyes to how easily an outbreak can occur. Though I expect most people to not react at all, or to go to extremes as doomsday preppers. This is how it seemed to be in 2009. Some people had no reaction whatsoever, especially when it wasn't directly affecting the area they lived in, while others went all out and prepared for the worse. I did not observe many that were able to find an in between. I think people need to be exposed to the possiblities, such as with this study because even those who do not believe in an apocolypse in the religous sense, should recongize that nature has quite a bit of control over us and can change the future.
Brandy
The specter of pandemic has obviously seared itself into the apocalyptic imaginations of past ages, such as with the 'Black Death' of the 14th Century (note even how its popular name has reified it into a demonic agent of sorts). Epidemiologists estimate the plague killed up to 30% of China's population, and roughly 50% of Europe's. These peoples were obviously dealing with a pre-scientific model of causality, but it's telling how supernatural causes often still get invoked in this day and age. I wonder: are human beings generally less uncomfortable with the notion of willful divine-punishment than they are with random biological mutations??
pdk
I think that the scientists who undertake these studies should be very careful in what they decide to do. In mutating this flu virus they are testing if it can be transmitted inter-species and may create exactly that. In trying to curb curiosity the scientist may be unfortunate enough to actually create a mutation that escapes the lab and transmits from lab animals to humans and effectively would wipe out our race.
With the global travel we undertake today an infected person could potentially spread the virus to thousands before they even showed signs. To release this information to public at lest allows us to know the potential for a threat and therefor we can undertake precautions to prevent infection if this dowes happen.
Bob
I believe this scientific information should be released to the public. To combat a problem as apocalyptic as a rampaging virus, scientists need to be able to be open about their work. If something like this virus did become easily transmittable from one human to another, its the scientists that would find a way to cure it. And for that they need to work together.
- Scott
In my opinon this is very dangerous. They are trying to create something that has no cure.They are not trying to find a cure. People need to stop doing these things. We should let God create. Are they trying to start our end. As they say in Jurassic Park, "Scientist are so worried about can they they are't worried about should they."
Lisa
Everyone has the right to know about current viruses that are potentially deadly. While it may not be nice to hear, ignorance is not bliss in this situation. Especially when it deals with the lives of people
Tazheem Rubio
I can definitely understand and relate to the ideal to make all or most scientific information open and available, but I also feel that in certain cases the risk can outweigh the benefit. There are still certain types of scientific information that are restricted from public access today, so it is not necessarily surprising that the NSABB initially attempted to censor the paper. However, from the article, this research was clearly of vital importance in understanding these potentially highly deadly and contagious strains of influenza virus. In addition, as the article noted, quite a few possible dangerous mutations of these viruses have already evolved in nature, so the risk for dangerous mutations developing already exists. Ultimately, I think that publicly publishing this information will do more good than harm, as it will help scientists better understand these flu strains and possibly find ways combat them is they did become a problem.
The apocalyptically inclined may view the publishing of the data in the paper as giving terrorist or others the tools to create highly dangerous biological weapons. While it is possible that theses results could be used to help engineer a pandemic causing flu virus, such a virus could also develop naturally, so risk is present either way.
Max Hesser-Knoll
I think the public has a right to know about the experiments that are being conducted that could potentially effect their health. Especially since its a mutation being created by humans in order to hopefully help us one day if there is a break out. The only scary thing to me is that they created it, its not "natural", a virus that had to be mutated in a lab 3+ times just to show that if mutated the right way humans can be susceptible to it. People fear this because instead of a biblical or nuclear end to the world a biological one. There are a lot of different theories for the end of the world and the scariest I have heard by far is a biological apocalypse.
-Taylor E.
Wow I forgot I (scott) commented on this thing at all. To the people who think that information should be kept secret, Thought I might share a quote I heard.
"Think education is expensive try ignorance."
If a rampaging virus gets out, would you rather everyone knew about it? Or only a small amount of people?
- Scott, paying the price of education one credit at a time.
Go Scott, Go!
;) pdk
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