Ebola - It might be safe to work with?
- 2
- Add a Comment
Ebola is one of the most dangerous pathogens that we have here on Earth today. Due to it’s contagious nature it is forced to be worked with in a bio safety level four facility. Modern science is investigating ways for mankind to work with the pathogen in less secure areas.
Scientists have made the lethal virus Ebola harmless in the lab, potentially aiding research into a vaccine or cure.Taking a single gene from the virus stops it replicating, US scientists wrote in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal. (Link)
This is such an amazing advancement in modern science. A great example of what we can do with technology today. Being able to remove a gene from a very deadly virus, so that we can research it (with less risk) just blows my mind away.What is even more important is that this did not destroy the ’scary’ part of this virus. We can still use the virus to do research, as long as it is used on genetically modified organisms:
It can, however, grow in cells which have themselves been genetically modified to produce the viral protein that would normally be made by VP30. This means that it will be possible to study modified Ebola in these modified cells without any risk that a virulent virus might infect people. (Link)
Even with the new safety of Ebola, I would not go near the virus. The concept is great, but in person it would be a very scary thing to face. Would you come face to face with the virus and play with it, even if it were deemed safe?
Justin
2 Comments
notsoanimatelife
July 7th, 2008
at 8:32am
We’ll I would say that as a pre-med student, my knowledge of viruses is scant compared to yours. But what scares me is no matter what number plus a percentage stamp you put on this virus, the potential for creating a even deadlier virus has to be present. While I champion advancements in science and medicine, realistically it seems some of these advancements may be handpicked from a Pandora’s Box with the lid cracked open.
NotSoAnimateLife
Justin Capasso
July 7th, 2008
at 2:15pm
Very good point. There is no doubt some sort of risk when tampering with genetics.
The main reason that they are trying to do this is that there is a very limited number of Bio Safety Level 4 zones in the United States. By making it not as pathogenic, Ebola can “safely” be studied in a bio safety level 3 or possibly 2 zone.
That definately raises a little bit of controversy about who can study it and how readily available the virus is. Science always has pros and cons.
Thanks for the comment,