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U.S. Continues Biological Warfare Research

Posted by michael on from the die-mice-die dept.

merryprankster writes "Researchers at Saint Louis University have engineered a strain of mouse-pox virus which kills 100% of animals it infects - even when the mice have been treated with vaccination and anti-virals. The deadliness of the virus is related to the addition of a protein IL-4 which shuts down cell-mediated immune response. The engineered virus is not contagious and does not affect humans but the research has drawn some condemnation as being dangerous and unnecessary."

4 of 945 comments (clear)

  1. mice != rats !=? SCO by millette · · Score: 5, Funny

    Don't jump the gun thinking this might be a solution to the sco problem. The article is quite clear: it only affects mice, not rats.

  2. Re:Seriously... by gowen · · Score: 5, Funny
    Here in Australia, for instance, we have a wretched little (introduced) animal called the cane toad. If a virus like this could be engineered such that it would kill them all out, I'd say it's not such a bad thing.
    I'd say its a pretty bad thing for the cane toad...
    --
    Athletic Scholarships to universities make as much sense as academic scholarships to sports teams.
  3. God save us! by Zygote-IC- · · Score: 5, Funny

    I hope this never gets in the wild. I would hate to have to switch to a damn trackball.

  4. Re:Seriously... by operagost · · Score: 5, Funny
    For decimating our pigeon population, and making Springfield a less oppressive place to while away our worthless lives, I present you with this scented candle.

    % Away from the speech, Skinner and Lisa talk.

    Skinner: Well, I was wrong. The lizards are a godsend.
    Lisa: But isn't that a bit short-sighted? What happens when we're overrun by lizards?
    Skinner: No problem. We simply release wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes. They'll wipe out the lizards.
    Lisa: But aren't the snakes even worse?
    Skinner: Yes, but we're prepared for that. We've lined up a fabulous type of gorilla that thrives on snake meat.
    Lisa: But then we're stuck with gorillas!
    Skinner: No, that's the beautiful part. When wintertime rolls around, the gorillas simply freeze to death.
    --

    Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.