smallpox, lifespans

[mfreis at NOMVS.LSUMC.EDU]

      This is in reponse to 2 messages.  First, regarding generating
      viruses from their DNA.  There is a rich history of generating vir
      uses from nucleic acids.  The one i'm most familiar with
      is poliovirus, published in 1980.  It has been carried out for
      many viruses.  sometimes the RNA is infectious as well.  The perti
      question is whether it has been carried out with a pox
      virus.  I don't know.
      The other question had to do with lifespans.  Some viruses
      are viable  for a long time, others not.  It depends on the
      virus .  For HIV, it's more complicated, because your blood sample
      would contain provirus, which could be infectious for a longer
      time, but under less likely conditions.