33 replies to this topic

[Still Waters]

While smallpox has been eradicated in the wild, samples of the deadly virus still exist in the United States and Russia. Some biodefense experts fear that the continued existence of smallpox leaves the world open to a bioterrorist smallpox attack. To contain a possible smallpox outbreak, the U.S. government has authorized a controversial purchase of a drug to treat smallpox, to the tune of $463 million. But does the U.S. really need what it's buying?

http://io9.com/the-u...a-bio-453745447

Edited by Still Waters, 16 March 2013 - 01:54 PM.

[Lilly]

Most US citizens under the age of 50 have never been vaccinated for smallpox. If there was a biological attack then the need for treatment would be immediate (smallpox kills apx. 33% of victims). I think the stockpile of the drug is a 'better safe than sorry' move. I actually think it's a pretty good idea...and who knows what the 'chatter' might be regarding terrorists getting their hands on some smallpox virus?

[shaddow134]

I was vaccinated against Smallpox back in 65 when I was born but does that grant me immunity now ?

Maybe the US are planning a big Military Campaign in the future and planning against repercussions,Who Knows?

Edited by shaddow134, 16 March 2013 - 02:23 PM.

[Lilly]

shaddow134, on 16 March 2013 - 02:20 PM, said:

I was vaccinated against Smallpox back in 65 when I was born but does that grant me immunity now ?

Did you received any booster shots growing up? If not, then you're probably not immune.

Quote

Maybe the US are planning a big Military Campaign in the future and planning against repercussions,Who Knows?

Or, there's chatter that someone 'not too nice' has gotten their hands on the virus and might use it as a weapon. The US ignored chatter prior to 9/11...I doubt the intelligence community will ignore such things now.

[Frank Merton]

That's a lot of money for drugs against an essentially extinct threat.  One has to wonder what they know that they aren't saying, although I would add that if they aren't sure its probably best to keep silent and just buy the insurance.

[shaddow134]

North Korea is thought to hold weapons containing Anthrax and possibly Smallpox which they may have obtained when the old Soviet Union broke up but this is just purely anecdotal and cannot be confirmed as true.

Edited by shaddow134, 16 March 2013 - 03:19 PM.

[Coffey]

OR the US goverment wants to give their friends $463 million and this is the perfect public excuse.... lol


We all know the big pharmicutical companies are friends witht he goverment. Otherwise Bayer would never have got away with selling HIV contaminated vaccines....

[FurthurBB]

Coffey, on 16 March 2013 - 03:40 PM, said:

OR the US goverment wants to give their friends $463 million and this is the perfect public excuse.... lol


We all know the big pharmicutical companies are friends witht he goverment. Otherwise Bayer would never have got away with selling HIV contaminated vaccines....

Factor VIII is a blood clotting agent used to treat haemophiliacs, not a vaccine.  Bayer was also not allowed to get away with it and what would the US government have to do with it because it was not the version that was sold here.

Edited by FurthurBB, 16 March 2013 - 05:35 PM.

[Coffey]

FurthurBB, on 16 March 2013 - 05:33 PM, said:

Factor VIII is a blood clotting agent used to treat haemophiliacs, not a vaccine.  Bayer was also not allowed to get away with it and what would the US government have to do with it because it was not the version that was sold here.

Yes they where, they sold it in the US and then got caught. When they where cuaght they pulled it from the US market and carried on selling it to Africa and other countries knopwing it was infected.



http://en.wikipedia....d_products#Iraq

Edited by Coffey, 16 March 2013 - 05:40 PM.

[FurthurBB]

Coffey, on 16 March 2013 - 05:40 PM, said:

Yes they where, they sold it in the US and then got caught. When they where cuaght they pulled it from the US market and carried on selling it to Africa and other countries knopwing it was infected.



http://en.wikipedia....d_products#Iraq

You are confusing two different issues.  One is HIV contaminated blood products that were sold unknowningly in the 1970s and early 1980s and another is Bayer knowningly selling old Factor VIII that was much more likely to be contaminated than a new heat treated formula that would not be contaminated in the early-mid 1980s.  The old formula was sold in Japan, China, India, and some African countries whereas the new formula was sold in the UK, most of Europe, Canada, and the US.  Neither one were they allowed to get away with.

[Coffey]

FurthurBB, on 16 March 2013 - 05:47 PM, said:

You are confusing two different issues.  One is HIV contaminated blood products that were sold unknowningly in the 1970s and early 1980s and another is Bayer knowningly selling old Factor VIII that was much more likely to be contaminated than a new heat treated formula that would not be contaminated in the early-mid 1980s.  The old formula was sold in Japan, China, India, and some African countries whereas the new formula was sold in the UK, most of Europe, Canada, and the US.  Neither one were they allowed to get away with.

If they wheren't allowed to get away with it, then why where thye never prosecuted... that is getitng away with it. lol

[ExpandMyMind]

They started stockpiling smallpox drugs right after 9/11. The fear from that event probably led them to stockpile many defensive drugs.

Not really a surprise to read this story.

[lightly]

Remember the stockpiling of the "bird flu "VACCINE"?  which turned out to be NOT a vaccine.. but a  flu  treatment  called Tami-flu  .. which is still on the market.
This sounds like just another trip to the cash cow.    

.. from Still Waters link:  
"The drug hasn't been tested on humans suffering from smallpox infections (for lack of subjects), but it has successfully treated smallpox and monkeypox in monkeys and smallpox-related viruses in humans. The FDA has approved the drug for emergency use only."
and
" But prominent experts say the danger is overblown. Because it can take up to two weeks before an infected person becomes seriously ill, and up to five more days before he or she begins to infect others, there is time to respond, they said.
Also, they said, by the time smallpox victims reach the infectious stage, when their pox are erupting, they are too sick to wander around. That is why outbreaks in schools or factories were nearly unheard of."

[Clyde the Glyde]

shaddow134, on 16 March 2013 - 03:18 PM, said:

North Korea is thought to hold weapons containing Anthrax and possibly Smallpox which they may have obtained when the old Soviet Union broke up but this is just purely anecdotal and cannot be confirmed as true.

I'll have to make sure any blankets I buy do not come from NK.

[Rocketgirl]

This story bother's me a little bit. I really don't trust our government and by them stockpiling smallpox drugs makes me wonder what they are really up to.