Article Link:
http://news.yahoo.com/government-hiding-something-swine-flu-021605558.html
Letter to the Editor
Forbes Magazine
readers@forbes.com
October 3rd, 2011
Dear Editor:
Yesterday, you reported on how the CDC is potentially withholding much of its genetic data on viruses such as swine flu and H1N1. As you mentioned the CDC is a publicly funded entity and it is irresponsible of them to withhold this data. Keeping this information from circulating globally, suffocates the likelihood of international cooperation on the issue. These types of viruses such as swine flu and H1N1 pose huge risks to millions of lives. The more data that the biomedical community has on these viruses, the better the chance that we will control them in the future and keep people safe. As a public health student at UC Berkeley, my opinion is that this organization should be forced to disclose all of its research in order to not only better inform the public on health issues but also help cultivate an international dialogue on the subject. By forcing the CDC to release its data on the genetic sequences of viruses, other countries might follow in suit. My question to you is whether this sort of mandate on the CDC to release data, could have negative repercussions?
Sincerely,
Bryan Frederick Marks
2815 Channing Way Berkeley Ca, 94920
bryan.f.marks@berkeley.edu
(510)-896-9364
I think the CDC may be withholding some of its genetic data on H1N1 due to the fact there has already been wide spread fear of a somewhat generic form of flu.
ReplyDeleteI think the major news and media networks blew the situation way out of proportion to improve ratings. There were more people dying of hunger than H1N1 in the States at the time and it was ridiculous to see how this virus received so much attention in 2009.
I knew a friend who had H1N1 along with my girlfriend, in fact, I think I got it from her. The virus was essentially the generic flu, but it was a strain that took more time to recover. No medications or antibiotics are required.
I think this virus is simply old news and the whole scare was just one big false alarm. If the CDC wants to retain information that might prolong this scare, they have every right to do so.