U.S. Continues Biological Warfare Research

merryprankster writes "Researchers at Saint Louis University have engineered a strain of mouse-pox virus which kills 100% of animals it infects - even when the mice have been treated with vaccination and anti-virals. The deadliness of the virus is related to the addition of a protein IL-4 which shuts down cell-mediated immune response. The engineered virus is not contagious and does not affect humans but the research has drawn some condemnation as being dangerous and unnecessary."

If Slarti Bardfast was right...

[Peter Cooper]

which kills 100% of animals it infects - even when the mice have been treated with vaccination and anti-virals

Finally, we can destroy our mice overlords!

mice != rats !=? SCO

[millette]

Don't jump the gun thinking this might be a solution to the sco problem. The article is quite clear: it only affects mice, not rats.

Don't touch...

[Slendro]

Don't touch them! These mice have been infected
with RAGE....

Re:If Slarti Bardfast was right...

[Fnkmaster]

Yeah, we just better hope the mice don't ramp up their bioweapons team first... insta-death mice poop, strategically placed behind all of your cabinets and cupboards. Bad, bad voodoo.

Disney

[The Angry Mick]

I guess Disney needs to buy some SARS masks for Mickey and Minnie . . .

Re:Seriously...

[gowen]

Here in Australia, for instance, we have a wretched little (introduced) animal called the cane toad. If a virus like this could be engineered such that it would kill them all out, I'd say it's not such a bad thing.

I'd say its a pretty bad thing for the cane toad...

Re:hrmm?

[AllUsernamesAreGone]

They tried it on RIAA officials and it didn't work. Of course, the flaw in their theory was that RIAA officials are humans.

Or, more seriously, they probably tried using it on human cell cultures to see what happened. Maybe.

Re:Seriously...

[geekmetal]

I am so happy to hear this, there is such huge problem of runaway mice around here!

Next project: Create virus to kill all morons

God save us!

[Zygote-IC-]

I hope this never gets in the wild. I would hate to have to switch to a damn trackball.

does not affect humans

[Kryptic Knight]

And Just how do they know it DOES NOT AFFECT HUMANS ???

OH yes, I can just see the testing scenario now:

Lab Dude "so we want to you to go in that room while we seal you in and then just open up that little vial on the workbench in there, OK?"

Guinea Pig "sure, do I get paid now or after"

Lab Manager "oh .. definitely after!"

Re:Seriously...

[operagost]

For decimating our pigeon population, and making Springfield a less oppressive place to while away our worthless lives, I present you with this scented candle.

% Away from the speech, Skinner and Lisa talk.

Skinner: Well, I was wrong. The lizards are a godsend.
Lisa: But isn't that a bit short-sighted? What happens when we're overrun by lizards?
Skinner: No problem. We simply release wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes. They'll wipe out the lizards.
Lisa: But aren't the snakes even worse?
Skinner: Yes, but we're prepared for that. We've lined up a fabulous type of gorilla that thrives on snake meat.
Lisa: But then we're stuck with gorillas!
Skinner: No, that's the beautiful part. When wintertime rolls around, the gorillas simply freeze to death.

Re:Level 3 Lab

[RichMan]

"nothing goes in/out of your lab without being autoclaved for one"

So the mice are steamed before being exposed to the virus. This could explain the 100% mortality rate :-)

Re:US is the only world power

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm tired of hearing ignorant whining like this attached to every damn article.

I'm sorry if our Weapons of Mouse Destruction offend you.

Pfft, who writes these headlines?

[Meor]

U.S. Continues Biological Warfare Research. The engineered virus is not contagious. Does not affect humans. Sounds like the superweapon the US has needed for years. *Rollseyes*

Re:Seriously...

[Anonymous Coward]

"...the US army has also recreated the Spanish Flu"

you misspelled fly