In a Chinese lab, scientists have created a virus that can prove to be fatal in just three days. In this study conducted at Hebei Medical University, an artificial virus has been created by imitating the Ebola virus. Scientists say that this study will help in understanding the Ebola virus better. However, questions are also being raised on the benefits and dangers of such experiments. This research has been published in a journal named 'Science Direct'.
In the study, scientists used the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV). They changed this virus in such a way that the glycoprotein (GP) of the Ebola virus was added to it. This protein plays an important role in the Ebola virus entering the cells of the body and infecting them. Scientists tested this artificial virus on Syrian mice. These included five female and five male mice.
Test results
After the injection of the infected virus, the mice started showing severe symptoms, which were similar to those of humans suffering from Ebola. These symptoms included the disease spreading throughout the body and the failure of many organs. As a result, all the mice died within three days. Some mice also had watery eyes, which weakened their eyesight. These symptoms are related to the optic nerve disorder seen in patients with Ebola virus disease (EVD).
Medicines and vaccines
Although scientists say that this study can help make medicines and vaccines in the future to fight the Ebola virus, concerns are being raised about the safety of such research. The coronavirus epidemic is not yet completely over and such news can increase people's anxiety. Experts say that strict security measures are needed to prevent this new virus from getting out of the laboratory. At the same time, some experts are also raising the question of whether there was a need to create a dangerous virus like Ebola. Now it remains to be seen how carefully China carries forward the research related to this artificial virus. At the same time, the world also hopes that history does not repeat itself and no other global pandemic like coronavirus emerges.
(PC: Freepik)
