"New Scientist . Scientists generate complete polio virus from scratch using little more than commonly known data and widely available tools. This was anticipated but never done before.
Frankly, this process sounds too easy. What's not mentioned is that low cost DNA manufacturing machines could make it possible to mass produce the virus in a couple of weeks (most of the older model equipment can be bought at low cost, it's just a little slower). I suspect that this process would also work in building designer proteins (like prions). Note: this kind of work can be done in a very sloppy manner and still generate signficant results.
Let me announce that this little experiment makes it officially the day that one person with a $50 k basement lab could declare war on the world, and make it an even fight. Very, very scary thought. No need to wait for nanotech grey goo, or nuclear proliferation, etc. Too bad that almost nobody will pay attention to this. Read " The White Plague " ASAP."
On John Robb's Radio Weblog

8:00:49 PM