Brisbane research identifies children's virus? : Melbourne Indymedia

Researchers at a Brisbane hospital say they have discovered a new virus, which causes severe respiratory infection in children.

Perhaps they did and perhaps they also had help? I wonder if they also had any affiliations with big pharma? People who might help them with scientific knowledge, equipment, funding and a possible interest in the same economic outcome as well?

The Royal Children's Hospital tested more than 2,000 children with coughs, fever and wheezing and [allegedly] discovered the new WU Polyoma virus in 39 cases.

The hospital's Associate Professor Michael Nissen says the discovery offers hope to children with infections that they could not previously identify.

"Initially our focus is going to be on how widespread the virus is in the community, how you can develop antibodies to it, develop a reliable diagnostic test for the virus," he said.

"Then whether it's necessary to think about the development of anti-viral medication or a vaccine."

How widespread: Search for more cases?

How to develop antibodies: Provide more work?

How to develop a reliable diagnostic test for the virus?

How to develop anti-viral medication?

How to develop a vaccine?

How to promote and sell the medication?

And how to develop a sure fire bank account for big pharma?

What got me is the ABC produced this mother with a sick child who they say had a breathing problem but no "name for it"?

So now the new name is "WU Polyoma virus".

How corporate that just happens to be???

I don't know, but make up your own mind. But a serious journalist who is not affiliated and being paid to do so IMHO should try to follow up any specific interests that big pharma may have in the alleged claim and the research.

Don't get me wrong I'm not knocking the [alleged claim] especially if it saves a child's life or prevents some harm. But I'm sceptical of the propaganda, introduction on the ABC, and the mother example as a serious PR exercise.

On that basis one must consider what other interests are involved and to work out whether this is just another corporate sponsored endeavour?

Also whether this may also harm children and give parents false hope about what doctors do or don't know?