oh, this is just lovely.....

[degrub]

if nature doesn't do it, let's figure out a way to make it happen.

http://www.doctortipster.com/6952-dutch-researcher-created-a-super-influenza-virus-with-the-potential-to-kill-millions.html

[Dr Mordrid]

How else is research for vaccines and bio-weapon mitigation to be done if not by 'evolving' them and studying the result? From the link -

On the other hand, if the study becomes available for the scientific community, it could allow researchers to ”be prepared” for a potential H5N1 pandemic. Since Fouchier’s study suggests that the risk for this to occur is greater than previously thought. Some researchers believe that banning the paper will leave mankind helpless if the virus naturally mutates and becomes contagious.

Want to obsess? Start worrying about what Gabon's Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville has in their BSL-4 labs.

Hint: it starts with E

[Jammrock]

Vernor Vinge's Rainbows End is a very fascinating read on this very subject. One of the sub-theme's of the book is how the global rise in scientific knowledge and intelligence, with added population density and political unrest, has led to the creation of super terrorists (my words) with nukes and biological weapons.

It's not anti-science in any way, Vinge was a professor of math and is possibly the greatest SciFi writer of our day, but he does make a good point about how all this public, global scientific knowledge could (will) lead to troubles in the future when they get into the hands of extremists of any kind.

It's a really good read. Highly recommended.

[Dr Mordrid]

Rainbow's End is really good, but its world is set up in 2 earlier novels; Fast Times at Fairmont High and Synthetic Serendipity, in that order. might want to check them out too. I hear he's working on a 4th.

Fast Times.... and Rainbow's End both won Hugo Awards.

[Jammrock]

Vinge's books almost always win at least a Hugo or Nebula award, and sometimes both. He has a very interesting view of the future.

I'll have to check out the other two books when I get a chance. If I get a chance...