Mutant Flu Researchers Declare a Time Out

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Mutant Flu Researchers Declare a Time Out

Posted by Soulskill on Friday January 20, 2012 @06:50AM from the it-worked-on-saved-by-the-bell dept.

New submitter scibri writes "Researchers working on highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza have said they will stop work on the virus for 60 days, to allow them to explain the importance of their work to politicians and the public. Quoting: 'Despite the positive public-health benefits these studies sought to provide, a perceived fear that the ferret-transmissible H5 HA viruses may escape from the laboratories has generated intense public debate in the media on the benefits and potential harm of this type of research. We would like to assure the public that these experiments have been conducted with appropriate regulatory oversight in secure containment facilities by highly trained and responsible personnel to minimize any risk of accidental release.'" Reader Harperdog sends in a related article arguing that we shouldn't be having a debate about the censorship of research, but rather a debate over whether the research should have been allowed in the first place.

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English is tricky by SJHillman · 2012-01-20 06:52 · Score: 5, Funny

Are they researchers for the mutant flu or are they flu researchers that are mutants? Or did the mutant flu make them mutants?
1. Re:English is tricky by Baloroth · 2012-01-20 06:58 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Are they researchers for the mutant flu or are they flu researchers that are mutants? Or did the mutant flu make them mutants?
  Yes.
  
  --
  "None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license." --John Milton
2. Re:English is tricky by hedwards · 2012-01-20 06:58 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  No, the researchers are themselves a highly evolved mutation of the influenza virus.
3. Re:English is tricky by elrous0 · 2012-01-20 07:17 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  The researchers CLAIM that they're not mutants. But, of course, a mutant isn't going to admit it. Better arrest and quarantine them just to be sure.
  
  --
  SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
4. Re:English is tricky by FatdogHaiku · 2012-01-20 09:04 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Well... I don't know about Soviet Russia,
  but,
  In Fluenza, mutant researchers infect You!
  
  --
  You have the right to remain sentient. If you give up the right to remain sentient, you will be elected to public office
60 days by phrostie · 2012-01-20 07:10 · Score: 5, Funny

and that should give us time to find that Damn ferret.
Re:Handwringers & luddites by elrous0 · 2012-01-20 07:18 · Score: 4, Funny

In all fairness, Ugh really shouldn't be trusted with fire.

--
SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
*Don't* RTFA! by zooblethorpe · 2012-01-20 07:51 · Score: 3, Funny

No, the researchers are themselves a highly evolved mutation of the influenza virus.
Which mean that they can't produce offspring unless they infect you?
Whatever you do, don't click the link!
:-P

--
"What in the name of Fats Waller is that?"
"A four-foot prune."