First Synthetic Virus Created...

[Sara Klein Ridgley PhD]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2122619.stm
'New reality'

To construct the virus, the researchers say they followed a recipe they
downloaded from the internet and used gene sequences from a mail-order
supplier.

Having constructed the virus, which appears to be identical to its
natural counterpart, the researchers, from the University of New York at
Stony Brook, injected it into mice to demonstrate that it was active.

The animals were paralysed and then died.
Better read the entire article!