How Ravenous Soviet Viruses Will Save the World: Wired.com

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In summary, researchers have turned to bacteriophages, which have evolved to destroy bacteria, as a natural approach to fighting infection. This method allows for nature to do the work, rather than relying on expensive and often unsuccessful pharmaceutical drugs. However, the unpredictable nature of bacteriophages and their ability to evolve poses potential risks. This highlights the need for systematic holistic thinking in addressing fundamental questions about the role of bacteriophages in fighting bacteria.
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"The war against bacteria is not something that can be won by humans," Sulakvelidze says. "If you try to wipe them out, they will always return. Only they will be stronger."

If the problem is classic Darwinian adaptation, the solution might lie in the very same process. Thus, Sulakvelidze, Morris, and others have turned their attention to bacteriophages, which have evolved over eons to destroy bacteria. This approach to fighting infection let's nature do the lab work usually carried out at tremendous expense, and with high failure rates, by the pharmaceutical industry. In contrast to engineered drugs, phages are as numerous and varied as the bacteria they attack. What's more, they evolve along with their prey, matching bacterial adaptation step by step.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.10/phages.html
 
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I got to admit, this idea scares me a little. One of the ways in which bacteria are known to adapt is the area of alternative food sources, especially under pressure of starvation. If a bacteriaphage is placed in a body where bacteria are plentifull, it may flourish and become quite numerous. Then, when the bacteria that served as its original foodsource is exhausted, some individualls of this vast population may develope the ability to eat the helpfull bacteria in the digestive tract. They might even start living off the proteins that hold our cell-walls together! Thing is, the very feature that makes bacteriophages desirable, their ability to evolve, also makes them dangerously unpredictable.
 
  • #3
This problem shows nicely how systematically holistic thinking is necessary for coming to grips with the fundamental questions.

But then the question is: what does "systematically holistic thinking" really mean and imply?

(I am trying to get at this on a thread in the sector Philosophy of Science and Mathematics)
 

FAQ: How Ravenous Soviet Viruses Will Save the World: Wired.com

How do Soviet viruses save the world?

Soviet viruses are being used in the development of new vaccines and treatments for a variety of diseases. This is because Soviet viruses have unique genetic structures that make them highly adaptable and effective in fighting off infections. By studying these viruses, scientists are able to gain a better understanding of how viruses work and use this knowledge to create more effective treatments.

What makes Soviet viruses different from other viruses?

Soviet viruses have a unique genetic makeup that sets them apart from other viruses. They have a high mutation rate, which allows them to quickly adapt to new environments and evade the body's immune system. This makes them valuable tools in research and development of new treatments and vaccines.

Are Soviet viruses dangerous to humans?

As with any virus, there is always a potential for danger. However, Soviet viruses are being studied and handled in controlled laboratory settings by trained professionals. When used in research and development, strict safety protocols are followed to ensure the safety of researchers and the public.

How are Soviet viruses being used in medicine?

Soviet viruses are being used in a variety of ways in medicine. They are being studied to gain a better understanding of how viruses work and how they can be used to develop new treatments and vaccines. They are also being used in clinical trials to test their effectiveness in treating diseases such as cancer and HIV.

What are the potential implications of using Soviet viruses in medicine?

The use of Soviet viruses in medicine has the potential to revolutionize the way we treat and prevent diseases. By studying these viruses, scientists are gaining a better understanding of how viruses work and how they can be targeted and manipulated for medical purposes. This could lead to more effective treatments and potentially even a cure for some diseases.

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