Steps Toward a Universal Flu Vaccine

Posted by kdawson on Monday February 23, 2009 @11:59AM from the one-antibody-to-rule-them-all dept.

Plasmoid writes "The NYTimes is reporting that scientists have starting developing what could turn out to be a 'universal' flu vaccine. They created antibody proteins that can neutralize different strains of the influenza virus, including the deadly H5N1 bird flu, the virus behind the 1918 epidemic, and common seasonal strains. These new antibodies target part of the virus that is shared between different strains and thus appear to be broadly effective. However, some experts question whether a universal vaccine of this kind is even possible, since the human body has been unable to come up with an antibody solution. An article on nature.com describes the work further."

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Re:vaccine even possible? by Zan+Lynx · 2009-02-23 15:12 · Score: 1, Troll

If God meant Man to fly He would have given us wings. So don't bother inventing airplanes.
If Evolution meant Man to fly it would have evolved us wings. So don't bother inventing airplanes.
Both pretty silly arguments!
If Evolution meant Man to be immune to the flu, we would be, so don't bother trying.
Equally silly and is theological because it treats Evolution as if it was perfect and all-knowing, i.e. God.