this post was submitted on 08 Dec 2025
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Science Memes

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Still out there (mander.xyz)
submitted 2 weeks ago by L501@mander.xyz to c/science_memes@mander.xyz
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[–] Warl0k3@lemmy.world 105 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

Yeah it's not that simple, wikipedia has a good summary:

Advocates of final destruction maintain that there is no longer any valid rationale for retaining the samples, which pose the hazard of escaping the laboratories, while opponents of destruction maintain that the samples may still be of value to scientific research, especially since variants of the smallpox virus may still exist in the natural world and thus present the possibility of the disease re-emerging in the future or being used as a bio-weapon.

[–] SapphironZA@sh.itjust.works 32 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Exactly, know your enemy, especially if you think you have defeated it.

We are about to see all the "defeated" diseases make a comeback due to politicians interfering in preventative healthcare. All in order to drive up revenue for big pharma and corporate healthcare from the increase in sick people.

[–] ameancow@lemmy.world 10 points 2 weeks ago

Agrees quietly in melting permafrost.

[–] marcos@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Keep the virus data in a computer where it can't escape from.

[–] Venus_Ziegenfalle@feddit.org 19 points 2 weeks ago

Computers can spread viruses too ☝️🤓

[–] Warl0k3@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

We're not to the point that that's possible.

[–] marcos@lemmy.world 0 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

How big is its genome? There isn't much in a virus.

People can replicate a lot of them from purely data.

[–] Warl0k3@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

How many distinct genomes are there that we include under the label "smallpox"? It's also a great deal more complicated than simply storing the genome - much as gene expression in humans is more complicated than simply "this is what the DNA says", it's also more complicated than that for viruses. We're finally to the point that we can simulate interactions, but it's -absolutely- not a trivial thing to do (supercomputer shit) and simply saving the source material prevents any risk of loss of information.

[–] ameancow@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Soulless Artificial Intelligences irritated with humanity constantly trying to get them to answer dumb questions can replicate a lot of them from purely data.

FTFY

[–] marcos@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

It's actually very real machines, doing extremely well controlled chemical reactions, and no AI unless you count all computer software as AI (ok, processors have neural networks controlling them nowadays, so just "normal" amount of AI).

[–] NaibofTabr@infosec.pub 67 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

This would kind of make sense if Isildur had taken the ring and tried to disassemble it and learn how its various magic effects worked, in order to extend life without the downsides.

The amount of things we've learned from the field of virology is fucking nuts.

[–] vrek@programming.dev 25 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

It would be horrible in real life but I thought a funny intro to a post apocalyptic movie would be a person giving a tour of a bio lab to college interns and...

"through our studies we have learned to increase the transmission rate and the death rate of the small pox virus. The downside is we had to mix it with rabies so the infected tend to get aggressive and lose there ability to rationalize their thoughts. Don't worry though, there is only this one vial of it in the entire world... these gloves are quite slippery.. Oops"

[–] boonhet@sopuli.xyz 9 points 2 weeks ago

No I think it would be better in real life. To scare interns. Not actually develop the megapox.

[–] CaptSatelliteJack@lemy.lol 4 points 2 weeks ago

Vector Institute would be a sick name for a bio-terror group in Shadowrunner

[–] DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 weeks ago

SARS CoV 3: 'Murica Boogaloo

[–] monk@lemmy.unboiled.info 2 points 2 weeks ago

Don't worry, there are multiple layers of protection. So far they're doing great, even Vector, even now: https://iris.who.int/server/api/core/bitstreams/50484602-5796-40de-9151-b41f1ffe83cd/content

[–] azi@mander.xyz 2 points 2 weeks ago

they've gone M.A.D.