For the first time, scientists
have used the genetic map of the poliovirus to construct a man-made version
of the crippling virus -- in a move they say illustrates the potential
for humans to manufacture viruses for use as bio-weapons.
Many researchers have believed
poliovirus could be "recreated" using the published data on
the virus' genome, but no one had done the work.
The researchers were able to
piece together synthetic poliovirus DNA, then use an enzyme to transcribe
it into viral RNA -- which then functioned like real viral RNA and made
proteins, ultimately forming infectious poliovirus. The man-made virus
led to paralysis or death in mice engineered to carry the human receptor
for poliovirus.
Because of global vaccination
efforts, most of the world is protected from polio, and health officials
say polio eradication is in sight. But even if the world is declared polio-free,
the ability to synthesize poliovirus could pose a bioterror threat if
mass polio vaccination were to end.
Sciencexpress
2002;10.1126/science.1072266
Journal
Virology August 2002;76(15):7485-7494
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