The Killers

* This was one of my essay reports in Advanced Biology when I was in 3rd year (25th of June, 2005).


As we all know, viruses are sometimes taken for granted. But in reality, they can be life-threatening, and often times, they are fatal and the whole human race is going to pay the price. After I read about an article in Microsoft Encarta Reference Library, I found out that viruses strive and reproduce inside the bodies of wild animals and household pets, and even in pests. Most are found in Africa (i.e. Zaire, Cote d’ Ivoire), Southwestern China, Europe, and India. Viruses that cause measles and chicken pox are mild ones, and after the invasion, the host will become immune to it. Colds is a mild type of a virus-caused disease, but the victim cannot be immune into it because cold viruses mimic the DNA structure of the person infected and eventually evolve into another strain, and possibly become more resistant from antidotes or antibiotics. Unfortunately, most countries in Africa suffer from different types and strains of viruses and constantly subtracting 60% of the population. AIDS, Lassa Fever, Hemorrhagic fever, and Influenza are just 4 of deadly virus-caused illnesses attacking in down-trodden Africa.

Viruses are one of the smallest particles, measuring in nanometers, and almost a one-billionth of a cell. These are only bundles of incomplete DNA structures that needs a machinery for reproduction. In order to live, these tiny particles look for hosts for shelter, and they found it: the rodents, pigs, and monkeys are some. After reproducing themselves, without harming the said animals, they transfer to human beings for further changes. They enter in portals such as the nose, skin pores and wounds. They hide themselves in cells, bloodstreams, and lymph nodes. Then these viruses then coil and inject themselves on a DNA strand. Using ribosomes and enzymes, the viral DNA directs the synthesis of messenger RNA, enzymes then break up DNA, and enzymes that allow the replication of viral DNA. Proteins are synthesized, using mRNA, from the DNA code; these proteins form heads, tails, and tail fibers. And the virus particles assemble into complete virions. An enzyme breaks up the cell and liberates the new viruses, which can infect other cells.

These lifeless objects suddenly become animated when attached on a living organism. Research believes that these viruses may be once part of a DNA, then jumped away from it freely. “Rebel DNA structures”, biologist Richard Dawkins of England's Oxford University
claims. Then evolved and became more dangerous than ever. Viruses once lived in a solitary and secluded life, until other organisms caught them, then evolved and developed into a “full-grown killer” of humans.

Virologists find it hard to trace the development of these parasites, and confused about why viruses became another deadly strains of it. For now, science is still wondering how these parasites existed, and why is it so hard to control their rapid development.



One of the things that I have realized in my biology class in 2nd year and 3rd year is this: “Everything has a price. There is no such thing as free lunch”. These were the favorite statements of one of the highly respected professors in UpHigh. In everything we do, there’s always a consequence, either favorable or not. And if we permit these viruses to impair the society by apathy and ignorance, then were going to get it! Someday, Mother Nature will go screaming “Enough!”. Mother Nature’s going to get revenge if we, the entrusted beings by God to protect and nurture this planet, will continue devastating His creations. That is to say, we should be the one who will be responsible for the welfare of everything that He made… the welfare of the people. Consciousness isn’t enough, I tell you. There should be action, even in our own small ways. Cooperation is also necessary.

Today, doctors and researchers are still searching for preventing the entry of these alien and tiny structures and its further invasion. Many are still hoping to find the cure. Whatever this is, thanks to these people who care…

Sources: National Geographic, July 1994
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