‘‘10 percent of the human genome is made of bits of virus DNA. It can be said you are part virus.’’
Virus Disruption ver 2.0
Although viruses are most often studied as pathogens that have caused extensive disease and suffering for humans and domesticated plants and animals, there are also many that are beneficial to their hosts, providing essential functions in some cases and conditionally beneficial functions in others. Beneficial viruses have been discovered in many different hosts, including bacteria, insects, plants, fungi and animals.
There can be several interpretations of ‘intimate’, but most people would agree that all viruses have an intimate relationship with their hosts. Symbiosis can be obligate, meaning that the relationship is required for the survival of one or both partners, or non-obligate. Viruses are obligate symbionts in that they cannot replicate outside their hosts. Although they are often thought of as purely antagonistic, examples of mutualistic viruses have been described for several decades.
What is mutualistic symbiosis? Mutualisms are relationships between living entities in which each member benefits from the relationship, although it should be pointed out that mutualisms can also exist between partners that are not in a symbiotic relationship. According to most ecology textbooks, mutualism must result in increased fitness, as measured by increased reproduction. However, here the term ‘mutualistic symbiosis’ is used more loosely, to describe any symbiotic relationship in which all partners benefit.
I am sure we have all experienced the terrifying speed of infection and the debilitating effects of common harmful viruses before, such as Covid, so imagine what if there was a virus that spreads just as fast, but is completely benevolent and beneficial to the host?
This project will create a novel and beneficial ‘virus’ (for the host user) that has the following benefits through inherent qualities of the virus itself or through gene manipulation:
- Bacteria killer (only harmful ones)
- Virus killer (only harmful ones)
- Cancer and Tumour cell killer
- Accelerated wound healing
- Life extension
- Physical Enhancement
looking for 8 members