[catfish1957]

Applying some science and math to this. Back in graduate school, I remember hearing that roughly a 1/3 of all bacteria are human pathogens.

Article says that majority of what was found (3507) were new unknown bacterias. So using that critera...... That would mean at least 1754 new bacteria times 1/3 = 584 potential new pathogens. Of course some may be as mild as a cold, but who is to say that one of them is has the ability to spread like a cold, and is as deadly as Bubonic.

I say they autoclave this research, and let Lake Vostok be.

[catfish1957]

After giving this some more thought, I am guessing that the 584 number I stated, may be overstated. The water in Lake Vostok is probably pretty close to freezing to probably no more than 50 degrees at the bottom. These organisms are acclimated to the cold climes, so a human as a host at 98.6 is probably less likely, but who knows, bacteria and viruses for that matter have varying amounts of adaptability, and can handle different levels of environmental conditions.

Still a scary thought, letting something unknown loose like that, but the 584 is too big a number.

On the other hand, are these based on one geographical core? If that is the case, who can say what lurks underneath one side of the lake or the other?

[Hardraade]

There are lifeforms that will only sneer at you if you autoclave...

[BenLurkin]

ditto