Why Would They Do This?

Scientists have created a new, more transmissible strain of Bird Flu.  I’m not making this up

 Wait, what?  They actually created exactly the virus we've been hoping to avoid?

It may not be the super-weapon form of H5N1 that we've all feared for so long, but it's at least one step closer.

As you all know, the saving grace of H5N1, and pretty much the only thing that's prevented the world-decimating pandemic has been the fact that transmission of the virus is at least fairly difficult.  The fact that Bird Flu has a ~60% mortality rate (58.5% to be more exact) hasn't changed.  But now, scientists studying Avian Influenza, and perhaps how to weaponize it (but I'll leave that to the conspiracy theorists), have succeeded in creating a new mutated strain of the virus that is as easily transmissible between mammals as your average run-of-the-mill seasonal influenza.

Simply put, THIS IS TERRIFYING NEWS!

The even more terrifying part of this story is just how easy it was to create this super virus.  A mere 5 mutations to the genetics of the virus is all that it takes to wipe out 60% of the planet.  The MOST terrifying part of this story is that all five of these mutations have already been seen in separate samples of Bird Flu.  THEY ALL ALREADY EXIST!  Once they find a way to exist together, it's all over.

I don't feel that I can stress enough that I'M NOT MAKING THIS UP.