“Contagion” is a film but there are real life risks that presumably research intended for good could be misused and poses perhaps more risks including creation of new more dangerous strains of the virus: “While it is clear that conducting research to gain such knowledge must continue, it is also clear that certain research, and especially that which can generate more dangerous forms of the virus than those which already exist, has risks. Therefore such research should be done only after all important public health risks and benefits have been identified and reviewed, and it is certain that the necessary protections to minimize the potential for negative consequences are in place, according to a statement from the UN’s World Health Organization – WHO. See Film Report: - “At the Scene (WHO)” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/at-the-scene/27257 More than Half Die Once Infected: H5N1 influenza viruses do not infect humans often; HOWEVER, according to the WHO “when it does, approximately 60% of those infected die. In addition, because these viruses can cause such severe illness in people, scientists are especially concerned that this type of influenza could one day mutate so it spreads easily between people and causes a very serious influenza pandemic.” (Read: -“Mutant Bird Flu Coming & It’s Not Hollywood’s Contagion Film”- diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/mutant-bird-flu-coming-its-not-hollywoods-contagion-film-by-ambassador-mo/34841). More Research & Safeguards Needed: Only this year a new Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework came into effect. Before then though many influenza samples/strains were shared by the WHO and between states. WHO now urges compliance regardless of when and how researchers accessed the samples/strains: “This Framework was adopted by all WHO Member States as a guide to the sharing of influenza viruses with pandemic potential and the resulting benefits. One specific requirement of this Framework, which pertains to influenza viruses of pandemic potential, and is in keeping with best scientific practice, is for laboratories receiving them through WHO's Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) to collaborate with, and appropriately acknowledge, scientists in countries where the virus originated when initiating research.” Link to WHO Statement: - www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2011/pip_framework_20111229/en/index.html By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook = Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX United Nations Web TV - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/united-nations