Secrets of Sars virus's lethal mutation unlocked by scientists By Steve Connor, Science Editor 30 January 2004 Scientists have identified the stages in the evolution of the Sars virus that turned it from a simple animal infection into a lethal human disease. A study of the genes of more than 60 Sars viruses has found that it took just three major changes to the virus's genetic material to transform it into a highly effective killer of people. During the earliest phase of the epidemic the Sars virus infected about 3 per cent of those who came into direct contact with...