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Viruses Infected By Viruses

Posted by samzenpus on from the hoist-with-its-own-petard dept.

SpaceAdmiral writes "Scientists have discovered a virus that can infect another virus. The fact that viruses can essentially get sick may change the debate over whether they are alive or not. Check out Nature for a slightly more technical article about the 'virophage.'"

5 of 341 comments (clear)

  1. Endlessly recusrive life definitions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The fact that viruses can essentially get sick may change the debate over whether they are alive or not."

    Ya ... to the debate over whether the viruses that make the viruses sick are alive or not.

    1. Re:Endlessly recusrive life definitions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      "The fact that viruses can essentially get sick may change the debate over whether they are alive or not."

      Ya ... to the debate over whether the viruses that make the viruses sick are alive or not.

      It's living viruses all the way down.

  2. Virus eating virus eating virus.... by HeadlessNotAHorseman · · Score: 5, Funny

    So a virus that attacks viruses eh? I wonder if there a virus that attacks the virus that attacks the viruses? And a virus that attacks the virus that attacks the virus that...er...well, you know what I mean. And what if the first virus evolves to attack the last virus....every time you get one of those mysterious unidentified itches it could just be a ring of viruses all chasing each other around in circles!

    --
    I like my coffee the way I like my women - roasted and ground up into little tiny pieces.
  3. Re:Software Viri too? by Telvin_3d · · Score: 5, Funny

    The local phone book makes an interesting read if that's the excuse you need to relax with some good whikey

  4. Re:cancer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    No, no! Human Pamplona virus is the one that makes seemingly healthy, sane people go running with the bulls!