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11 Pathogens Pose Big Security Risk For Research
sciencehabit writes "A United States federal panel of scientists and security experts has identified 11 microorganisms that it wants designated as Tier 1 select agents, a new category of biological agents that would be subject to higher security standards than other pathogens and toxins used in biomedical research. The category would include anthrax, Ebola, Variola major and Variola minor (the two viruses that cause small pox), the Marburg virus, the virus that causes foot and mouth disease, and bacterial strains that produce the botulinum neurotoxin. At the same time, the panel has recommended dropping 19 pathogens and six toxins from the broader list of 82 agents that are currently governed by the select agent program."
No, it is a viral infection. The virus responsible is called the picornavirus.
I don't see the zombie virus in there...
That's because the zombie virus causes zombies to eat brains. Politicians don't have brains so they aren't worried about it.
While it is true that certain pathogens are virulent and can be airborne, ebola for example works so well because it has a long enough cycle to allow transmission.
Instantly lethal pathogens don't spread much, since they aren't mobile in a host. Visible signs early slow spreading.
You're at far more risk from food contamination in the food supply or sunstroke, actually.
That said, wise decision for the actual Facilites doing pathogen research (which include some I've worked in).
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
Explain why life was so good in Reagan's America, then.
Your argument only makes sense in a left-wing context. Anyone who actually had to live and grow up in those times knows the sharp differential between Jimmy Carter and Reagan.
HBI's Law: Frequency of calling others Nazis is directly correlated with the likelihood of the accuser being Communist.
Explain why life was so good in Reagan's America, then.
Because he traded short term economic gain for long term economic stability. Reagan is the president who began dismantling Depression-era regulations on the banking and finance industries. That resulted in a short term boost. This trend continued (and thus the blame doesn't fall squarely on Reagan's shoulders) and resulted in the S&L Crisis, the .com Bubble, the real estate bubble, and the resulting Great Recession.
Reagan's policies may have been good for you living during those times, but they've been a fucking disaster for those of us who had to graduate college and work through the past decade.