The Virologist’s Conundrum

Abstract

There are 124 viral species known to infect humans; of these, only a small number have FDA-approved specific preventive or therapeutic interventions. Furthermore, 219 additional species are capable of infecting humans [2]. But this requires a cautionary note: For one thing, it is estimated that in addition to the thousands of viruses known, there are three to four new ones appearing each year be they hitherto previously unknown or known varieties that have evolved. And we must not overlook the possibility of meeting genetically engineered pathogenic forms developed for use in biowarfare [3]. An excellent article on biowarfare and bioterrorism can be found on Wikipedia [4].