Using Genetics- Reverse Genetics- and Genetic Engineering

Have you heard of Microbiologist Terrence Tumpey? Tumpey and his team have managed to use reverse genetics to recreate the H1 N1 virus, otherwise known as the 1918 Flu or Spanish Flu. The 1918 flu outbreak killed 50 million people in a relatively short time period. When the reverse genetics where complete, to test it and make sure it was the right flu, they tested it on mice. The mice died with in three days. Tumpey and his team learned a valuable piece of information. The H1 N1 attacked the lungs differently than non-lethal strains of the flu. Non-lethal strains sit in the upper lobes of the lung, where as H1 N1 was able to cause severe inflammation in all areas of the lungs. This I can understand, to an extent. I understand the logic of recreating something so deadly to study it, poke and prod it, bend and break it. I can see the point, the usefulness. Studying one’s enemy is always a useful tactic. However, I disagree completely with the fact that they then published the complete genome data.
I went through the little survey blurb on the PBS NOVA Science Now site. I have to disagree with the way they did their survey. They linked two separate issues together and gave no option to approve one without the other. I DO approve the use of genetics to study a virus as deadly as this one. The best defense is a good offense, so to speak. You can’t have a plan of attack, or prevention, with out having some idea on the enemy. I do, however, strongly disagree with the publishing of the data. Giving anyone out there the information was just irresponsible. I agree that other scientists might think of something, or bring something new to the table, but the public at large should not have this information, and really, some scientists shouldn’t’ either. The fact that the site survey would not allow you to choose one with out the other, well, that’s something I’m not sure I want to understand. Why not separate the discovery from the dissemination of data? Companies and other scientist do it all the time.
Never mind the fact that terrorist could get a hold of it. I’m not one to ring the “terrorist” bell, but gee’s guys, come on. A little common sense here, please. By publishing the complete genome, you published a blueprint for recreating the virus anywhere. Yes, I understand that special equipment and scientists with specific knowledge would be needed. I don’t, however, estimate the sheer tenacity of human beings. I mean, seriously. We are the cockroaches at the top of the food chain when it comes to survival, and we are the ultimate predator when it comes to killing each other. Be it in ones or twos, with guns, or thousands in gas chambers. From Hitler to the genocide in Africa, there seem to be a certain percentage of the population that is not only willing but DO decide that others do not deserve/need or what ever their funky logic inserts there, and should die. Oddly enough, there is a much larger more dangerous percentage of the population that is willing to follow those that make the decision on who should die. Is that percentage that concerns me…. They are the ones that will find a way.
That’s all for today… I will write more on this subject and would love to hear others opinions!