It seems that the world is on the threshold of another breakthrough. A huge virus, called the Pandora virus that was discovered accidentally underwater off the Australian coast, has triggered heated debates in the scientific society. What is strange about it and why do many scientists say that it is of extraterrestrial origin?

First, the "Pandora" virus is by right regarded as the world's largest virus. Despite that, it is visible with a normal microscope.

Another thing of importance here is that it resembles a bacterial cell. Second, earlier scientists in fact knew nothing about 93 per cent of the "Pandora" genes. That is why scientists mentioned the extraterrestrial origin of the "Pandora" virus.

Besides, it has proved to be a very unpretentious and wide-spread substance. The successful virus multiplication cycle is ensured by the fact that its DNA adsorbs its cells and proteins.

The French scientists - Jean-Michel Claverie and Chantal Abergel - who have discovered the "Pandora" megavirus are sure that after it is carefully studied, biology will make a great scientific breakthrough. A Russian biologist, Svetlana Kasatkina, shares their opinion:

"This discovery changes radically our vision of the nature of viruses. What the French scientists have discovered is really a unique virus. Research work will enable scientists to understand whether the "Pandora" virus has really originated from the full-value cells and to learn more about the evolution of viruses".

Today scientists do not believe that the "Pandora" virus poses danger to human beings. However, at the moment it is somewhat premature to make such statements because research work takes time.

Hence, it is impossible to rule out the extraterrestrial nature of the "Pandora" virus and to say with absolute certainty that it constitutes no danger to mankind.

Source: Voice of Russia