In ten pages this paper discusses how some viruses can be used to control harmful bacteria growth. Three sources are cited in the bibliography.
Name of Research Paper File: D0_JGAvirus.rtf
Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
research paper reveals some interesting medical breakthroughs using certain viruses to help rid us of certain harmful bacteria or species of growth inside the body that could be potentially harmful.
VIRUSES CONTROL HARMFUL BACTERIA Through the U. S. Department of Agriculture, their research department has discovered that certain viruses can be used to stop certain deadly bacteria
in the growth of salmonella. Using what are called phages, these viruses attack foodborne pathogens that are attacking fruits and vegetables. The testing is now focusing on Salmonella
specifically in the hopes of stopping the spread of this potentially fatal bacteria. The phages are sprayed on or dipped onto the plant, and their use might curtail only the
bad bacteria while the good bacteria remain. The scientists are doing most of this type testing on melons right now, with fair to excellent results. So far none
of the phages has been successful on apples. Plans are for research to begin on using phages to kill E. coli and Listeria. Currently, the industry uses chlorine
to sanitize food products. One of the scientists said that it is a "danger to rely on one form of protection. Chlorine presents many problems for consumers and
scientists. It can be noxious and must be kept at certain levels. A potential for resistance to it develops as well, a problem phage use would alleviate" (Lazenby 20, 2001).
Phages hold promise according to the FDA "but must be approved by FDA and EPA before they can be used commercially" (Lazenby 20, 2001). USING VIRUSES IN
GENE THERAPY An even more important viral research is happening as well, and that involves the use of certain viruses in the study of genes. Just decades ago it