Beijing : SARS not pigs but chicken

[Guest guest]

April 27,2003

 

Dear Ken,

 

I heard from a colleague in Vienna

> recently that some European researchers

> are exploring the link between this

> " mutated coronavirus " that has been identified

> as " the SARS virus " and some genetic engineering

> experiments related to pigs.

 

Your friend Hong Tao (from the China Engineering Research

Academy Zhong Guo Gong Cheng Yuan) has been quoted by

the Takung Pao and the Taiwan Central News Agency on April

23,2003 that the SARS coronavirus mutated from chickens and

causes bronchitis among chickens . He said that this

coronavirus was found in chickens as early as l937. He also

was quoted as saying that this virus which can be found in both

animals and humans has over 100 strains. Hong Tao also

thinks that it is the mutation of this virus which causes the

human fatality. However Hong Tao also said that SARS may

also be caused by other microorganisms like Chlamydia. He

said that the mutated corona virus can also cause pneumonia

among rats as well as pleurisy among cats.

 

Rey Tiquia

Phd candidate

Dept. of History and Philosophy of science

University of melbourne

Australia

 

 

 

, " dragon90405 "

<yulong@m...> wrote:

> Here's a brief report from what currently

> feels like the center of a cyclone in Beijing.

> The city is in the grips of mass hysteria.

> When summarizing the impact of SARS, this

> set of dynamics ought not be overlooked.

>

> Compared to many other conditions, SARS

> has proven to date to be a fairly modest

> killer. Yet it is one of the most effective

> agents of chaos I've ever witnessed.

>

> As noted elsewhere, many of those who

> succumb to this disease die from various

> co-morbid conditions, some of which are

> apparently iatrogenic, i.e., responses

> to the medications administered.

>

> Very curious phenomena.

>

> Last weekend the government cancelled

> the annual May Day holiday. By week's

> end, virtually all offices in the city

> had closed. People are hoarding food

> and trying to prepare for what day by

> day begins to feel like the entire

> city being placed under quarantine.

>

> Hospitals are taxed beyond their capacities.

>

> And, naturally, rumors are flying.

>

> I heard from a colleague in Vienna

> recently that some European researchers

> are exploring the link between this

> " mutated coronavirus " that has been identified

> as " the SARS virus " and some genetic engineering

> experiments related to pigs.

>

> Anyone have any insight on that?

>

> Too bad not more of you are interested in

> magic, we could use some magic here in

> Beijing right about now.

>

> Ken