Russian scientists confirm triumph at Antarctic lake isolated under miles of ice for millions of yrs

[tclambert]

44. MRSA didn't evolve from a never-before-encountered bacterium.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus evolved from the very common Staphylococcus bacteria. That's actually the typical way very virulent diseases arise--by evolving from common microbes that already live on or in humans, like the flu. One small mutation could make these organisms very dangerous. Something that never lived in human beings would likely have to mutate in many, many ways to even survive in a human host, let alone becoming an virulent pathogen.

My point is, the odds of an Andromeda Strain scenario are very, very small. Still, they should be careful.

And are you sure ALL life forms mutate? Look at Republicans. Newt Gingrich is running for President.