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05/17/2009: "Swine flu is very likely man-made"

The World Health Organization is investigating a claim by an Australian researcher that the swine flu virus circling the globe may have been created as a result of human error.

Adrian Gibbs, 75, who collaborated on research that led to the development of Roche Holding AG's Tamiflu drug, said in an interview that he intends to publish a report suggesting the new strain may have accidentally evolved in eggs scientists use to grow viruses and drugmakers use to make vaccines. Gibbs said he came to his conclusion as part of an effort to trace the virus's origins by analyzing its genetic blueprint.

"One of the simplest explanations is that it’s a laboratory escape," Gibbs said in an interview with Bloomberg Television today. "But there are lots of others."

[ If the theory that the virus has been created to massively cull humans is true, then there isn't much sign of success so far. Better luck next time? ]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=afrdATVXPEAk