MED,RES:veterans and virologists

[K. Weber]

 I think that this kind of discussion about military bio-engineering has a 
great deal of relavence to 
the attempts of physicians and governments to find out what is happening 
when soldiers from many countries return home ill.  Bioengineered viruses 
have been found in the body fluids of Gulf War veterans. 



  The problem has been that people with chronic viral infection appear 
lazy to others and this creates a very strong stigma which prevents them 
from getting full medical care and disability benefits.  The public more 
readily accepts victims with their legs blown off, even deriving some 
sense of heroism for themselves.  They don't want to see young men and 
women so weak they can't get out of bed.
  As microbial warfare becomes more common--it is cheap--the risk of 
widespread chronic debilitated disease should be considered beside the 
risk of massive loss of life.  I think that most people would have to 
think seriously if asked which they personally would prefer for themselves.  
Disability from chronic infections can be very severe and very humiliating.


					Kathleen Weber 
					



P.S. - For more information about bioengineered viruses in veterans consult 
Dr. John Martin of th Center for Complex Infectious Diseases in Rosemead, 
California.