I've been a vaccine immunologist for 5 years. I've studied genetics. Here are a few take home messages for you from the Genetics books... 1)mutations rarely, if ever confer an ADVANTAGE on the host. Most often they confer a disadvantage. I can't think of a single example of an induced favorable mutation. Can you?Really? You're an honest-to-god vaccine immunologist? And you can't think of a single favorable mutation??? Well, this lowly carbonate geochemist can think of one. Ever heard of Ebola Reston? I can assure you that the airborne qualities this little beauty acquired created quite a stir on the east coast.