In 2015, scientists discovered a 30,000 year old giant virus in the wastelands of Siberia. The virus measures at a whopping .6 microns. This is a shocking size, considering to qualify as "giant" a virus must be at least one thousandth of a millimeter. As insane as this seems, scientists plan to reanimate the dubbed "frankenvirus." So the question arises, should the frankenvirus be reanimated? The almost immediate answer that comes to mind should be no. Here's why.
Despite the frightening size of the frankenvirus, it's quite large in another area. That's right, its gene pool is just as large. To put this in perspective for you, the common cold has about 8-12 genes. The frankenvirus, however, has over 500 genes. Another immense number that …show more content…
Recharge a dead thing so powerful they use the word behemoth..." In her article titled "Scientists: Please rethink Frankenvirus", she compares the reanimation of the virus to the beginning of a horror story. Regnier shows that she is nothing but against the frankenvirus revival. She brings up some interesting points, it's a real eye-opener. For example, she compares the gene pools of the flu to the frankenvirus, she said, "...we can’t figure out the right vaccine against that[the flu]!" After these facts, you may ask, could the reanimation have any benefits at all? Do they weigh out the …show more content…
That's what the majority of researchers believe. The frankenvirus to the majority of scientists is not a big deal. The frankenvirus is comparable to a koala in their eyes. Vincent Racaniello, a virologist at Columbia University, said, "...I think we should worry about the viruses that could jump out of mammals on Earth right now." McFadden agrees, giving examples of viruses spread by insects(specifically mosquitos). By reviving the frankenvirus, scientists could pave the way for the possibility of worse viruses being uncovered.
Yes, reanimating the frankenvirus could possibly propel mankind into an age of higher immunity to diseases. The CDC(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) would run tests on the virus to learn more about it, and to prevent future viruses. The same procedure was done for the Spanish Flu virus. Who knows? Maybe it will pave the way for a cure for the flu. As Tara Smith puts it, "...it's hard to justify the importance of such work to the public, and touch for everyone to believe it can be done safely and without
Despite the frightening size of the frankenvirus, it's quite large in another area. That's right, its gene pool is just as large. To put this in perspective for you, the common cold has about 8-12 genes. The frankenvirus, however, has over 500 genes. Another immense number that …show more content…
Recharge a dead thing so powerful they use the word behemoth..." In her article titled "Scientists: Please rethink Frankenvirus", she compares the reanimation of the virus to the beginning of a horror story. Regnier shows that she is nothing but against the frankenvirus revival. She brings up some interesting points, it's a real eye-opener. For example, she compares the gene pools of the flu to the frankenvirus, she said, "...we can’t figure out the right vaccine against that[the flu]!" After these facts, you may ask, could the reanimation have any benefits at all? Do they weigh out the …show more content…
That's what the majority of researchers believe. The frankenvirus to the majority of scientists is not a big deal. The frankenvirus is comparable to a koala in their eyes. Vincent Racaniello, a virologist at Columbia University, said, "...I think we should worry about the viruses that could jump out of mammals on Earth right now." McFadden agrees, giving examples of viruses spread by insects(specifically mosquitos). By reviving the frankenvirus, scientists could pave the way for the possibility of worse viruses being uncovered.
Yes, reanimating the frankenvirus could possibly propel mankind into an age of higher immunity to diseases. The CDC(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) would run tests on the virus to learn more about it, and to prevent future viruses. The same procedure was done for the Spanish Flu virus. Who knows? Maybe it will pave the way for a cure for the flu. As Tara Smith puts it, "...it's hard to justify the importance of such work to the public, and touch for everyone to believe it can be done safely and without