Researcher Dies After Studying Plague Bacteria

Malcolm J. Casadaban, a molecular genetics professor at the University of Chicago, died last Sunday, seemingly from an infection of a weakened form of Yersinia pestis, the bacteria that causes the plague. "Because this form of the bacteria is not known to cause problems in healthy people, special safety procedures are not required to handle it, said Dr. Kenneth Alexander, a virologist and chief of pediatric infections at the U. of C. Medical Center. Lab researchers who work with the bacteria would typically wear gloves, a lab coat and protective goggles, and the bacteria would be disposed of in a biohazard bag and heated for about two hours, Alexander said. Two key questions in Casadaban's death will be whether there was anything different about the strain of bacteria he was handling and whether Casadaban had any underlying conditions that may have made him more susceptible to infection."

Comments

We're screwed

[Anonymous Coward]

Man, we're so screwed now. This is like a movie. Who knows who he had contact with? It probably morphed in some way and now it's going to sweep the globe wiping out most of the population. :(

Re:We're screwed

[gyrogeerloose]

now it's going to sweep the globe wiping out most of the population.

You say that as if it's a bad thing...

Re:We're screwed

[93 Escort Wagon]

Now I haven't read that book that you linked to, so I don't know what arguments they make, but a hypothesis that states that the black death was a different disease with the exact same symptoms as a very well known and documented disease that still occurs today seems needlessly complicated to me.

"Needlessly complicated"? Remember, you're talking to a bunch of people who recently thought spending an entire weekend compiling Gentoo was perfectly normal behavior.

Re:We're screwed

[kurzweilfreak]

O RLY?!

Re:We're screwed

[CharlyFoxtrot]

Fleas->Rats ->Fleas->Humans

Human Flees Rats

third key question

[s4m7]

when he rises from the dead, will he spread the contagion through his bite, and will cutting off his head finally kill him?

Re:third key question

[NotQuiteReal]

That's why we embalm or cremate folks now. That whole rising from the dead thing causes nothing but problems, however it manifests itself.

Re:third key question

[X-Power]

How does embalming stop the dead from rising? By fooling people with their good looks?

Re:third key question

[Anonymous Coward]

That's why we embalm or cremate folks now. That whole rising from the dead thing causes nothing but problems, however it manifests itself.

Just make sure to not embalm people with Worcestershire sauce.

Re:third key question

[Kjella]

That's why we embalm or cremate folks now. That whole rising from the dead thing causes nothing but problems

Clearly someone has not seen the Mummy etc.

Re:third key question

[Anonymous Coward]

That's why we embalm or cremate folks now. That whole rising from the dead thing causes nothing but problems, however it manifests itself.

Seemed to turn out pretty well for that Jesus dude.

Re:third key question

[s4m7]

Seemed to turn out pretty well for that Jesus dude.

Bah. Three days to respawn? He must've done some serious TKing or something.

Re:third key question

[Eudial]

Since he was walking on clipped tiles and handing out more objects than could possibly fit in his inventory, there was justified suspicion of some form of cheating. I think the server has been patched now, though, since that doesn't seem to happen as often.

Re:third key question

[Anonymous Coward]

I'd imagine if you kill their car's radiator, vampires are even more likely to walk.

Oh good

[Anonymous Coward]

Now my outfits will finally come back in style, and I can get all the chicks instead of lots of stares and police harassment.

Great.

[XPeter]

First Swine Flu, and now this shit?

May we all pray the remaining survivors (Steve Jobs, Chuck Norris, Richard Stallman and Cowboy Neal) start a new civilization.

Re:Great.

[sgbett]

I have no idea why, but I immediately thought of 7 of 9 for the job.

Re:A brief rememberence of Prof. Casadaban

[baKanale]

Ultimately we ALL will rest in piece.

Unless you get hit by a grenade. Then it's pieces.

Re:Cause of Death?

[antifoidulus]

If I get out of my car and promptly drop dead, you're not going to say that driving my car was the cause of death.

Guess it all depends on who you cut off...

You!

[SEWilco]

In Soviet Chicago, plague study you!

Re:A brief rememberence of Prof. Casadaban

[rhyder128k]

With a dry cool wit like that, you could be an action hero.

Re:A brief rememberence of Prof. Casadaban

[maninthespoon]

I imagine it depends on whether the person throwing the grenade pulled the pin first

Ahh, but that is why one should first consult the Book of Armaments.