Virus World
We
live in a world run by viruses. The majority of the living creatures
on the planet are viruses. They have played a very important role in
the natural selection of all life on earth, since the very
beginning. Every life form on the planet is subject to the onslaught
of viral attacks. Even the ancient life domain of Archea have
viruses that infect them.
We have long harbored a very loathsome view of viruses,
and for good reason, but the truth is that the role of the virus is
incremental to the continuation of all life on earth. Science has
now lead us to a time where we can truly begin to understand our
virus world and soon there will be some major decisions to be made
in our relationship with our time long nemesis. In 2002 , for the purposes of
medical research Professor Eckard Wimmer assembled a
living strain of the Polio virus out it's basic ingredients. This new science opens up
an unprecedented new opportunity to understand and combat the life
stages of dangerous viruses. But we must do so wisely. The
destruction of our perceived enemy may very well result in the
destruction of ourselves.
This is an incredibly interesting episode of the BBC's horizon which focuses on the world of the virus and the role they play in our world. ..or shall I say their world. I highly recommend viewing this video because it applies to each and every one of us. Due to the size, bandwidth requirements, I may not be leaving this video posted for long. So watch it now while you still can.
-For full screen there is a little button on the bottom right of the video box.