30,000-year-old giant 'Frankenvirus' could be reanimated

Scientists worry other ancient viruses could pose potential dangers

Scientists want to reanimated a 30,000-year-old microscopic pathogen Mollivirus sibericum dubbed the "frankenvirus" unearthed from Siberian permafrost. 

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - The ancient virus is the fourth among recent prehistoric unearthed viruses but the second to be discovered by the researchers, Fox News reported.

Experts warned that climate change and further industrialization in the region might wake up other buried and frozen prehistoric pathogens.

The French research team is investigating the pathogens believed to be eradicated and are still determining whether they pose any harm to humans and other species of modern times. 

"A few particles that are still infectious may be enough, in the presence of a vulnerable host, to revive potentially pathogenic viruses. If we are not careful, and we industrialize these areas without putting safeguards in place, we run the risk of one day waking up viruses such as small pox that we thought were eradicated," warned one of the lead researchers, Jean-Michel Claverie. 

Scientists determined that ancient viruses are more complex genetic specimens than the modern ones. The "frankenvirus" contains 500 genes, a large number compared to modern flu which only contains 8. 

However, reports also stated that the virus has less in comparison with the giant virus discovered in 2003, which contained 2,500 genes. 

The "frankenvirus" has since been found only to affect single-celled organisms such as amoebas. Scientists still fear the possibility of other viruses buried in the permafrost which is currently thinning due to climate change.

The team believes the melting of the ice could lead to the release of similar ancient viruses that once affected Neanderthals and humans during earlier periods.

Claverie emphasized that there is now a "non-zero probability" of "waking up" those dormant or inert, dangerous pathogens.

"If viable virions are still there, this is a good recipe for disaster," he added.

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