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World's Largest Virus

Posted by michael on from the freak-show dept.

Gavinsblog writes "New Scientist is reporting that the largest virus yet discovered may have been found in a water tower in the UK. Dubbed the 'Mimivirus', it may be related to Smallpox. It is not yet known if it causes disease."

3 of 42 comments (clear)

  1. It is only a matter of time... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    eventually viruses will evolve to the point that they can pass chemical "message darts" to one another thereby learning to adapt to environmental changes more rapidly than crude evolution would allow. In time these intelligent viruses would conquer all life un-gluing it and re-gluing it together in ways that benefit the virus best. These viruses would pose a threat to humanity ofcourse... but I bet we could hold them off with food additives or something.

    1. Re:It is only a matter of time... by barakn · · Score: 2, Interesting

      It is in the best interest of a virus not to kill or severely impair its host. They're already evolving fast enough to keep pace with their hosts, so there's no need to invent a process to speed it up. HIV is actually not in evolutionary equilibrium with humans yet. It mutates so rapidly the immune system can't keep up with it. It will eventually learn to restrain itself, but not before it has killed millions more people.

      --
      "I'm so moist I'm sticking to the leather." -Kermit the Frog on The Late Late Show
  2. Better or worse? by phorm · · Score: 2, Interesting

    So, are larger virii better or worse? I would think that as far as detection... larger is better. But how about as far as being killed by immuno-response, and/or reproducing, complexity, etc?

    The article indicates that the virus is larger DNA-wise... which indicates higher complexity, possibly a better ability to adapt?

    It's interesting that the virus is big... but what consequences does this have medically?