WHO, flu experts looking into claim H1N1 swine flu evolved in lab, not nature

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WHO, flu experts looking into claim H1N1 swine flu evolved in lab, not nature

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TORONTO — The World Health Organization and leading influenza research groups

are investigating unpublished claims that the new H1N1 swine flu virus may have

evolved in a laboratory, not in nature.

Bloomberg News is reporting retired Australian researcher Gibbs plans to

publish a scientific report saying the never-before-seen virus may have evolved

in eggs.

Eggs are used in laboratories and in vaccine manufacturing to grow up quantities

of influenza viruses.

Gibbs apparently claims that the virus bears the hallmarks of having undergone

" accelerated evolution " such as what happens when viruses try to adapt to

growing in eggs.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has been studying Gibbs' claim and says it

does not believe Gibbs is correct.

The CDC's Dr. says her labs and others cannot find evidence to support

the claim that the virus has undergone accelerated evolution.

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