Scientists have reported having engineered very potent viruses to target exclusively cancer cells and cause them to die (from the Globe and Mail). This is another demonstration of the power of biotechnology and the endless therapeutic opportunities it offers.
But I say tread carefully, for the world of viruses is very murky and they are darn smart and flexible beasts. Many of them can mutate very fast, so tight safety must be in place. Results are promising, but one shouldn't rush into human trials straight away, at least not before having ruled out the possibility of mutations that would make the virus deadly. Keep in mind it is a smallpox virus they're tinkering with. Some viruses can even act as carcinogenic agents themselves. There's a whole world out there and we've just peeked through a hole in the curtain.
Again, I will reiterate the essential role PR and communication play in science: this discovery could save lives, but it needs to be communicated and promoted openly and appropriately. Please spare us the company marketing of the sort we've seen with a completely different class of product, Gardasil.
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/10/26/cancer-virus.html
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