Technology Exists To Recreate Infectious Viruses From Genome Sequences

New York Times: Resurrecting Smallpox? Easier Than You Think
Leonard Adleman, professor of computer science and molecular biology at the University of Southern California

“…It is possible that the great labs, with great scientists, the best equipment and substantial funds, could overcome the considerable challenges that exist and resurrect smallpox right now [using the sequence for the smallpox genome, which is published online]. Before too long, more modest labs may be able to accomplish the same thing. … Do we sit and wait for the day when someone releases resurrected smallpox on an unvaccinated world? I’m a scientist, not a policy expert. But would it be wise for us to consider limiting the distribution of the tools of this emerging technology?” (10/15).

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