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zeroversion t1_isw6r4t wrote

I was quite worried about this, but I heard a talk with an epidemiologist (I think) who talked about how unfrozen ancient pathogens aren’t as big a threat as we might assume. This is because they are genetically adapted to an ecosystem that no longer exists and animal and plant life whos immune system have since adapted over the years, making the ancient pathogen not equipped to affect the new life. This person compared it to accidentally plugging in a floppy disc with a virus from the 80s into a current day computer. The 80s virus wouldn’t know what to do.

I don’t think this is no longer scary. I just have hope that it’s not as dire as I thought before.

I’ll edit and link the article or podcast if I can find it.

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taoleafy t1_iswig15 wrote

This may be true but sudden climactic shifts in the past have spurred ecological chaos that have fomented plagues. Plague of Justinian, for example, came in the wake of volcanic eruptions that darkened the skies and cooled the earth. That shift spurred rodents carrying the bacteria to go beyond their normal range in search of food, thus bringing the disease in contact with population centers.

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[deleted] t1_iswqsqk wrote

[deleted]

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Ok_Kale_2509 t1_iswy5wa wrote

You are forgetting the scale we are talking about. Invasive species often don't do well in environments. When they do the area is usually very similar to their home. Meanwhile that ice has been frozen for millions of years. There were very few mammals when that was warm. While I won't say it's impossible for them to effect modern creatures, it makes sense that it won't be as easy as an animal moving to another part of the world better suited for them.

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onlycrazypeoplesmile t1_iszmrm4 wrote

Sod's Law dictates that because those ancient pathogen aren't coded for our habitat that that may just be the reason they're potentially deadly.

Either way, the Covid-23 Pro X is gonna be fun.

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Scantronacon t1_it2v4m0 wrote

Can a species with a weak immune system contract these old pathogens?

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