Can a retrovirus cause a zombie apocalypse?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the hypothetical scenario of whether a retrovirus could lead to a "zombie apocalypse," as depicted in the movie "I Am Legend." Participants examine the plausibility of such a transformation occurring through gene therapy and retroviral mutation, considering both biological mechanisms and cultural references.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the feasibility of a retrovirus causing significant alterations in humans to create a "zombie-like" species, citing the lack of evidence for such transformations in existing retroviruses.
  • Others suggest that while the concept of a retrovirus leading to zombies is unlikely, alternative scenarios involving existing viruses like rabies could theoretically lead to aggressive behaviors reminiscent of zombies.
  • A few participants reference cultural narratives, such as the Caribbean legend of zombies, to explore different mechanisms that could induce dissociation and aggression in humans.
  • One participant mentions a sci-fi movie where a retrovirus leads to violent behavior, arguing that such a scenario could be more plausible than the traditional zombie concept.
  • There are expressions of personal opinions against the idea of zombies, with some participants dismissing the concept outright.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express skepticism about the possibility of a retrovirus causing a true zombie apocalypse, with multiple competing views on what could lead to aggressive human behavior. The discussion remains unresolved, with no consensus on the plausibility of the scenarios presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of genetic alterations and the potential for unforeseen consequences in gene therapy, but do not reach a definitive conclusion regarding the mechanisms that could lead to zombie-like behavior.

aquitaine
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Is "I am Legend" possible?

Ok, in the I am Legend storyline someone comes up with some sort of gene therapy treatment for cancer that uses retroviruses. It works well until the retrovirus unexpectedly mutates, turning people into a new feral, zombie like species. I wonder, is this even possible? If not, why?
 
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aquitaine said:
Ok, in the I am Legend storyline someone comes up with some sort of gene therapy treatment for cancer that uses retroviruses. It works well until the retrovirus unexpectedly mutates, turning people into a new feral, zombie like species. I wonder, is this even possible? If not, why?

I find it difficult to say what is possible and what is not, but there is this: there are many retroviruses already, but we live without hordes of zombies. I would be more concerned about the LCH opening a portal for little green men to probe our collective rectums. (and I am not concerned about that, for the record)

Consider: what mechanisms would require massive alterations to create a feral human who could survive, or "zombie-like"? You're talking about a massive series of alterations that might not be possible based on the human genome, so while anything may be possible, no, it is my opinion that this is not. I would be far more concerned about a cancer treatment that causes a different kind of cancer, than I would about zombies.

Now, having said that, if I wanted to make human zombies, I would look to the Caribbean legend: what would allow for long-term dissociation and aggression? I would think about something along the lines of an anticholinergic drug, along the lines of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura as a dissociative drug. I don't think the result would be the kind of zombie you're thinking of, unless a bunch of nude and delirious people is your notion of a zombie nation.
 


So in other words, no. Thanks.
 


aquitaine said:
So in other words, no. Thanks.

Yeah, in other words, no! :smile:

I wanted to give your notion a fair hearing however, so "just no" would have seemed a little curt and unfair.
 


Well I did ask why not. :) Personally I suspected it would be no, but I was curious as to why in any event. Anyway if you haven't seen the movie it is pretty interesting. Worth a look.
 


Sorry to break in here but...

What if the vacine had been created from parts of other existing viruses like rabies? It almost seems to me that the Zombies were somewhat like "Mad dogs", rabid animals.

So maybe the vacine gets very widely used, years go by and something makes parts of the rabies virus re-activate making most people "get" rabies and turn into mad-dog-rabid-animal Zombies?

The original "Omega Man" was pretty good too!
 


It's already happening. Have you seen the gangs of "tweekers" and "crackheads" roaming the cities on foot.
 


I hate zombies, so I say no, it can not happen.
 


Robot B9 said:
Sorry to break in here but...

What if the vacine had been created from parts of other existing viruses like rabies? It almost seems to me that the Zombies were somewhat like "Mad dogs", rabid animals.

So maybe the vacine gets very widely used, years go by and something makes parts of the rabies virus re-activate making most people "get" rabies and turn into mad-dog-rabid-animal Zombies?

The original "Omega Man" was pretty good too!

A vaccine, no, but could you engineer a tough, enraged, stupid and aggressive human? Probably. Could those traits lead to long-term survival? Doubtful.
 
  • #10


There was a really oddball sci-fi movie and I wish I could remember the name but it was along similar lines as the movie "I am Legend" (which should not be confused with the short story "I am legend" they are completely different.)

It went like this.
The gene which affects the fight or fright instinct (but mostly the violent side) was combined with men's sex drive in a retrovirus by aliens. This caused all the men on the planet to kill all the women. The human race ended ; the end.
 
  • #11


ThomasEdison said:
There was a really oddball sci-fi movie and I wish I could remember the name but it was along similar lines as the movie "I am Legend" (which should not be confused with the short story "I am legend" they are completely different.)

It went like this.
The gene which affects the fight or fright instinct (but mostly the violent side) was combined with men's sex drive in a retrovirus by aliens. This caused all the men on the planet to kill all the women. The human race ended ; the end.

That is far more feasible than the longevity and physical changes of "zombies". If you want to end the species, then this is a possibility, even with some who are immune, enough men control essential infrastructure such as the military that destruction is possible.
 

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