Beyond Ebola & It's Successors:
Synthetic
Viral Pandemics
[The
Shape of Things To Come]
Synthetic molecules have the potential to be both
blessings and curses.
There is
the potential to transform even the concept of what we regard as
'human' through the creation of such structures.
Unlike my opposition to GM foods, synthetic life
could have the potential to take us beyond our concepts of time,
space, reality and open the potential for a new intelligent species
to do things, go places and self-replicate in manners beyond our
wildest of dreams and imaginations.
The very
concept of what is (or constitutes) intelligent life will be altered
by this Science.
Apart
from everything else, synthetic life could 'go viral' in it's own
right.
As with
all forms of life everywhere in our known (and unknown) universe,
there are always Achilles Heels. 'Other' life is no more nor less
susceptible to infections than we are.
What will
cause infections and how such lifeforms will react will no doubt be
as dramatic as anything we can see with human pandemics.
The
problem we will face is that our biology has not evolved to respond
to synthetic life and such would be an 'attack' on human cellular
lifeforms by an 'alien' virus. Our immune systems have been evolving
over billions of years (certainly over hundreds of millions) and our existence is a unique product of the
symbiotic relationship between ourselves and the millions of bacteria
and organisms which happily co-exist, most of the time, within our
own bodies, and do not (usually) 'trigger' immediate reactions which
cause us to immediately die. Such process usually takes place when
'runaway' cell reproduction becomes unstoppable or under other
traumatic circumstances which cause life to immediately cease.
Disease causing microbes (pathogens) include bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Disease causing microbes (pathogens) include bacteria, viruses and fungi.
The issue
for the future will be what to do when a synthetic virus crosses the
species barrier*.
The
scientists don't want to discuss this with you because they already
know that the results could be to wipe out the entire human
population as it exists since no human is configured or 'tailor
designed' to 'cope' with a synthetic molecular or viral 'attack' on
human cells.
There is
no precedent. For example, isolation depends on the ability to
contain contamination.
It
assumes that 'firewalls' between the infected person and those
treating the victim(s) can be maintained as configured. But what if
a synthetic virus can with ease 'walk through' walls, metal, polycarbonate, graphene,
and any other 'barriers' we have constructed -and on the basis of
our past experience? Such is the worst scenario – and in this case
there may be no fall-back position.
Let's not
assume the very worst, let's assume the ability to contain within a
defined quarter or location for treatment of the patient, it is not
beyond the realms of thinking that such an intelligent synthetic
virus could, to save itself, go 'dormant', possibly even be
undetectable to available equipment. The dormancy might be factored
by parameters we are yet to evaluate.
In such a
case, again, we are in big trouble as there are no precedents on the
period of dormancy (years,
decades, centuries) to be able to accurately predict it's
re-emergence.
I was
recently discussing Ebola with a friend and gave the following
scenario:
What if,
in the past, whole villages of extended families in remote areas of Africa had
been 'wiped out' by this virus? Has anybody stopped to consider what
happened to their unburied bodies? In such regions as Equatorial Africa they
would, no doubt, be eaten by the natural wildlife. So these dead
infected corpses had been ingested by scavengers, which, in turn
may well have reproduced (as carriers) be subsequently caught and eaten as Bush Meat by humans.
In
Africa, 'Bush Meat' is our equivalent of free-range live animals not farmed nor factory-farmed but running and living wild in the forests and, what is left of African jungle areas. Such meat is very popular because,
for example, you can just hunt wild animals in the forests, kill and
eat the fresh meat, free of charge. This is a traditional practice
which has kept many impoverished families alive for centuries - as they
simply cannot afford to buy meat for their families in the market
place nor shops. It has also provided a lucrative living to
enterprising individuals who make a living by selling 'natural' 'bush
meat' in the marketplace. I must also add that but for this 'business' (of catching Bush Meat) individuals would,
together with their families, dependents, extended family members,
otherwise remain impoverished .
It has
also enabled the children in parts of Africa where such is widely practiced to make 'pocket money' and even money to pay for their
books and school charges and, in the case of those orphaned and living with a
relative or adopted 'mother', to help pay for their keep.
So we
could, potentially, be talking about the onward transmission, now into
generations, of potentially deadly viruses. The good news is that from within such communities, those who have survived will also carry the antibodies from which antigens which will offer the potential for future immunization against this deadly virus will be created.
The
question immediately arises 'well if a deadly virus has been
transmitted, then why has the new victim (carrier) not succumbed after eating
this infected Bush Meat?' In other words, what are the incubation or dormancy periods of such viruses after they cross and/ or trans-cross the species barrier(s)? I don't
have an answer to this question but there could be many reasons.
One
possible answer is that, for secondary and tertiary carriers, we do not fully understand periods of viral
'hibernation' fully and how they alter the human genetic code,
perhaps in very subtle ways we are yet to discover?
The point
I am making here is that dormant viruses for periods of time beyond
what we hitherto thought possible, within the human body, may not be
as far-fetched as it sounds.
Once we
create molecules, microorganisms, or even nano-technological
structures which, like an email, have the potential to travel at
near half light-speed or at least, in an 'apparent' instant, then,
potentially, such could also 'infect' likewise in an apparent
instant, with the 'right' medium as 'host' or 'transmitter' or
'carrier'.
As a
whole 'Brave New World' of technology and science emerge and fuse,
the wonders for creation and good are bountiful - as are the
scenarios for apocalypse.
The
tragedy is, whether we are ready for this world or not, it is already
in motion and all we can do is hope, work and, if you are religious,
pray, that we understand it's philosophy of life better than we have
understood our own.
[ Note that
I am not a trained virologist nor medical professional so please feel
free to debunk anything
I have said above, based on your own professional expertise. ]
© Patrick
Emek, 2014
Author &
Researcher
*For example, the NPC1 protein is common to both bats and humans.
This would be an ideal 'bridge' for crossing the species barrier as we currently understand it.
There are other proteins common to both humans and animals which virologists are currently researching and identifying.
A constellation of recombinaze solutions may, in part, offer some options for current challenges.
Note 1:
There is a lot of ignorance resulting in general hysteria about Ebola and infectious disease. I am therefore including the most internationally recognized protocol terminology for disease transmission and epidemiology.
Please refer to the credit below the terminology for further information:
''In order to approach the subject of disease transmission and epidemiology in a clear and logical manner, it is necessary to establish a common ground in the use of terminology. The following terms will be used frequently throughout this subcourse.
a. Disease. Disease is an impairment of the normal state of the living animal or plant body that affects the performance of the vital functions. The presence of disease usually results in visible signs or symptoms.
b. Communicable Disease. A communicable disease is an illness that can be transmitted person to person or from animal to person.
c. Agent. An agent is a disease-producing organism or substance.
d. Infection. Infection is the entrance and multiplication of infectious (disease-producing) agents into the body of man or animal.
e. Reservoir. A reservoir is the source of a disease, harboring the infectious agent(s). The agent either multiplies or undergoes some development with the organism or substance acting as the reservoir.
f. Mode of Transmission. The mode of transmission is the means by which a disease is transmitted from one person or animal to another.
g. Vector. A vector is an animal or arthropod that plays a part in the transmission of disease. A disease vector may be either the reservoir or the vehicle in disease transmission.
h. Host. The host is the living body upon which a parasite or infectious agent lives--the final recipient of a disease agent. The host of a disease may be either a case or a carrier.
i. Case. A case refers to a person who is actually ill with a disease.
j. Carrier. A carrier is an individual (or animal) who is infected with a disease, agent and is capable of transmitting the disease, but who usually does not exhibit clinical symptoms.
k. Incubation Period. The incubation period is the time interval between the entrance of an infectious agent into a host and the appearance of symptoms.
l. Spectrum of Infection. The spectrum of infection is the broad gradation of disease infection from no apparent symptoms (such as the carrier state) through severe illness and death.
m. Endemic. Endemic refers to the usual level of occurrence of a disease within a given geographical area.
n. Epidemic. Epidemic is the occurrence of a disease clearly in excess of the normal expectancy within a given geographical area.
o. Pandemic. Pandemic is the occurrence of disease over a wide geographical area and affecting an exceptionally high percentage of the population.
p. Epidemiology. Epidemiology is the study of the determinants and distribution of disease and injury in a given population.
q. Vehicle. A vehicle is an inanimate object that facilitates the transmission of a disease-causing agent.
1-4. COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Although not all diseases of military importance are communicable, this lesson will focus upon the communicable diseases-those that can be transmitted from person to person or from an animal to a person. These diseases may be classified into five groups, based upon the manner in which they are spread, the area of the body that they affect, and the type of control needed to prevent their spread.
a. Intestinal Diseases. These diseases are usually transmitted by food or water that has become contaminated with feces from an infected human or animal. Examples are typhoid and paratyphoid fevers, dysentery, and cholera.
b. Respiratory Diseases. These diseases are usually transmitted from person to person by discharges from the nose, mouth, throat, or lungs of an infected person. Examples are the common cold, influenza, pneumonia, streptococcal sore throat, and tuberculosis.
c. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. These diseases are transmitted from person to person by sexual intercourse. Examples are syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, hepatitis B, and chancroid.
d. Arthropod-Borne Diseases. These diseases are transmitted from person to person or from animal to person by insects or other arthropods. Examples are malaria, typhus, and yellow fever.
e. Miscellaneous Diseases. This group includes those communicable diseases that do not fall into any of the above groups. Examples are rabies (hydrophobia), tetanus (lockjaw), and dermatophytosis (athlete's foot).
1-5. THE CHAIN OF DISEASE TRANSMISSION
a. Each case of communicable disease is the result of an orderly progression in a series of events. This series of events may be described as a three-link chain, each link representing a factor essential to the transmission of disease. These links are:
(1) The source of the disease (reservoir)
(2) The means by which the disease may be transmitted (mode of transmission).
A susceptible person (host).''
1 I am indebted to the U.S. Army, Army Medical School, Fort Sam, Houston, Texas.
For any further information please contact:
U.S. ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT CENTER AND SCHOOL, FORT SAM, HOUSTON, TEXAS 78234-6100
Note 2:
The incubation period for Ebola, is, estimated at 28-36 days and not the 22 days as is being presented.
I suspect that for commercial reasons, the arbitrary (mean or average) figure of 22 days has been chosen.
Any community which is free of the virus for 36 days can be said to have contained the virus.
© Patrick Emek, 2014
revised 18.10.2014
updated 19th October, 2014
updated 22nd October,2014 (Note 1)
updated 25th October with Press Release from the Desk of Dr. Anthony Fauci at The White House:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ebola-response?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=email385-text1&utm_campaign=ebola#fauci
erratum: 30th October:speed of an email:near half the speed of light -light
http://www.ted.com/talks/craig_venter_unveils_synthetic_life?language=en
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_biology
*http://products.creative-biolabs.com/symbolsearch_NPC1.htm
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NPC1
http://quizlet.com/6168128/biochemistry-fun-flash-cards/
[DOC]
שיעור 4 – 31/01/08 מחלת הסכרת – Diabetes Mellitus במסגרת ...
English translation at:
http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=iw&u=http://img2.timg.co.il/CommunaFiles/26348880.doc&prev=/search%3Fq%3Drecombinaze%26start%3D10%26client%3Dfirefox-beta%26hs%3DfsH%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26channel%3Dnp%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D895
*For example, the NPC1 protein is common to both bats and humans.
This would be an ideal 'bridge' for crossing the species barrier as we currently understand it.
There are other proteins common to both humans and animals which virologists are currently researching and identifying.
A constellation of recombinaze solutions may, in part, offer some options for current challenges.
Note 1:
There is a lot of ignorance resulting in general hysteria about Ebola and infectious disease. I am therefore including the most internationally recognized protocol terminology for disease transmission and epidemiology.
Please refer to the credit below the terminology for further information:
DEFINITIONS1
''In order to approach the subject of disease transmission and epidemiology in a clear and logical manner, it is necessary to establish a common ground in the use of terminology. The following terms will be used frequently throughout this subcourse.
a. Disease. Disease is an impairment of the normal state of the living animal or plant body that affects the performance of the vital functions. The presence of disease usually results in visible signs or symptoms.
b. Communicable Disease. A communicable disease is an illness that can be transmitted person to person or from animal to person.
c. Agent. An agent is a disease-producing organism or substance.
d. Infection. Infection is the entrance and multiplication of infectious (disease-producing) agents into the body of man or animal.
e. Reservoir. A reservoir is the source of a disease, harboring the infectious agent(s). The agent either multiplies or undergoes some development with the organism or substance acting as the reservoir.
f. Mode of Transmission. The mode of transmission is the means by which a disease is transmitted from one person or animal to another.
g. Vector. A vector is an animal or arthropod that plays a part in the transmission of disease. A disease vector may be either the reservoir or the vehicle in disease transmission.
h. Host. The host is the living body upon which a parasite or infectious agent lives--the final recipient of a disease agent. The host of a disease may be either a case or a carrier.
i. Case. A case refers to a person who is actually ill with a disease.
j. Carrier. A carrier is an individual (or animal) who is infected with a disease, agent and is capable of transmitting the disease, but who usually does not exhibit clinical symptoms.
k. Incubation Period. The incubation period is the time interval between the entrance of an infectious agent into a host and the appearance of symptoms.
l. Spectrum of Infection. The spectrum of infection is the broad gradation of disease infection from no apparent symptoms (such as the carrier state) through severe illness and death.
m. Endemic. Endemic refers to the usual level of occurrence of a disease within a given geographical area.
n. Epidemic. Epidemic is the occurrence of a disease clearly in excess of the normal expectancy within a given geographical area.
o. Pandemic. Pandemic is the occurrence of disease over a wide geographical area and affecting an exceptionally high percentage of the population.
p. Epidemiology. Epidemiology is the study of the determinants and distribution of disease and injury in a given population.
q. Vehicle. A vehicle is an inanimate object that facilitates the transmission of a disease-causing agent.
1-4. COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Although not all diseases of military importance are communicable, this lesson will focus upon the communicable diseases-those that can be transmitted from person to person or from an animal to a person. These diseases may be classified into five groups, based upon the manner in which they are spread, the area of the body that they affect, and the type of control needed to prevent their spread.
a. Intestinal Diseases. These diseases are usually transmitted by food or water that has become contaminated with feces from an infected human or animal. Examples are typhoid and paratyphoid fevers, dysentery, and cholera.
b. Respiratory Diseases. These diseases are usually transmitted from person to person by discharges from the nose, mouth, throat, or lungs of an infected person. Examples are the common cold, influenza, pneumonia, streptococcal sore throat, and tuberculosis.
c. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. These diseases are transmitted from person to person by sexual intercourse. Examples are syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, hepatitis B, and chancroid.
d. Arthropod-Borne Diseases. These diseases are transmitted from person to person or from animal to person by insects or other arthropods. Examples are malaria, typhus, and yellow fever.
e. Miscellaneous Diseases. This group includes those communicable diseases that do not fall into any of the above groups. Examples are rabies (hydrophobia), tetanus (lockjaw), and dermatophytosis (athlete's foot).
1-5. THE CHAIN OF DISEASE TRANSMISSION
a. Each case of communicable disease is the result of an orderly progression in a series of events. This series of events may be described as a three-link chain, each link representing a factor essential to the transmission of disease. These links are:
(1) The source of the disease (reservoir)
(2) The means by which the disease may be transmitted (mode of transmission).
A susceptible person (host).''
1 I am indebted to the U.S. Army, Army Medical School, Fort Sam, Houston, Texas.
For any further information please contact:
U.S. ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT CENTER AND SCHOOL, FORT SAM, HOUSTON, TEXAS 78234-6100
Note 2:
The incubation period for Ebola, is, estimated at 28-36 days and not the 22 days as is being presented.
I suspect that for commercial reasons, the arbitrary (mean or average) figure of 22 days has been chosen.
Any community which is free of the virus for 36 days can be said to have contained the virus.
© Patrick Emek, 2014
revised 18.10.2014
updated 19th October, 2014
updated 22nd October,2014 (Note 1)
updated 25th October with Press Release from the Desk of Dr. Anthony Fauci at The White House:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ebola-response?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=email385-text1&utm_campaign=ebola#fauci
erratum: 30th October:speed of an email:near half the speed of light -light
http://www.ted.com/talks/craig_venter_unveils_synthetic_life?language=en
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_biology
*http://products.creative-biolabs.com/symbolsearch_NPC1.htm
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NPC1
http://quizlet.com/6168128/biochemistry-fun-flash-cards/
[DOC]
שיעור 4 – 31/01/08 מחלת הסכרת – Diabetes Mellitus במסגרת ...
English translation at:
http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=iw&u=http://img2.timg.co.il/CommunaFiles/26348880.doc&prev=/search%3Fq%3Drecombinaze%26start%3D10%26client%3Dfirefox-beta%26hs%3DfsH%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26channel%3Dnp%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D895