Re: starship-design: Air born Viruses

[Kelly St <KellySt@aol.com>]

In a message dated 5/2/98 10:02:16 PM, jon_jay1@juno.com wrote:

>         In watching many Sci-Fi movie, I've come across two different
>points that contradict each other, and you probably have too. In WAR OF
>THE WORLDS, the invading aliens are killed by viruses and bacteria that
>they are not immune to; in another movie, however, I forget which, it
>said the viruses and other agent have not adapted to use of human cells.
>I was wondering which of these is more likely of happening.
>
>Jonathan

Viruses need to have a reasonably similar genetic structure.  Thou that would
still allow humans, birds, and mamals to share viruses.  Aliens would probably
get off free.  Bacteria on the other hand only need digestible tissues, so
anyone protein based could have trouble.

Kelly