Viruses Infected By Viruses

SpaceAdmiral writes "Scientists have discovered a virus that can infect another virus. The fact that viruses can essentially get sick may change the debate over whether they are alive or not. Check out Nature for a slightly more technical article about the 'virophage.'"

cancer

[the_Bionic_lemming]

How long till these things are linked to stuff like cancer?

Endlessly recusrive life definitions

[Anonymous Coward]

"The fact that viruses can essentially get sick may change the debate over whether they are alive or not."

Ya ... to the debate over whether the viruses that make the viruses sick are alive or not.

Re:Endlessly recusrive life definitions

[Anonymous Coward]

"The fact that viruses can essentially get sick may change the debate over whether they are alive or not."

Ya ... to the debate over whether the viruses that make the viruses sick are alive or not.

It's living viruses all the way down.

Virus eating virus eating virus....

[HeadlessNotAHorseman]

So a virus that attacks viruses eh? I wonder if there a virus that attacks the virus that attacks the viruses? And a virus that attacks the virus that attacks the virus that...er...well, you know what I mean. And what if the first virus evolves to attack the last virus....every time you get one of those mysterious unidentified itches it could just be a ring of viruses all chasing each other around in circles!

Re:Software Viri too?

[Telvin_3d]

The local phone book makes an interesting read if that's the excuse you need to relax with some good whikey

Re:cancer

[Anonymous Coward]

No, no! Human Pamplona virus is the one that makes seemingly healthy, sane people go running with the bulls!

"Viruses Infected By Viruses"

[Anonymous Coward]

OH.. Oh.. ohhh.. ok. I read the headline and I said "Man! Again, another article about Windows Vista!"

Kidding!

Re:Classical definiton of Living Organism

[jasonmanley]

Somewhere in the world a grammar nazi just had a stroke at their keyboard.

Re:not alive

[BobNET]

*I* can't self-replicate, and I'm alive.

But you're on Slashdot, and therefore have no life.

Re:cancer

[spoop]

Human Pamplona Virus? Is that the one that chases you through the streets?

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:here we go again

[Anonymous Coward]

You will be SO freaked out next time you meet an Earth elemental...

Re:reproduction

[x2A]

the noise you make when a heavy concept lands on your toe, especially when your feet are cold.

Re:reproduction

[Vampo]

which of course brings us to the conclusion that mules are sometimes (rarely) alive

Re:reproduction

[DarkKnightRadick]

so sex is a viral meme?