A REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF MICROBIOLOGY VIRUSES THROUGHOUT LIFE & TIME FRIENDS, FOES, CHANGE AGENTS (original) (raw)

This report from the American Academy of Microbiology discusses the significant and varied roles of viruses in the natural world, emphasizing their essential contributions beyond being mere pathogens. Highlighting insights from a colloquium of virology experts, the report explores the complex interactions between viruses and their hosts, suggesting that understanding life on Earth requires considering viruses in the broader ecological and evolutionary context. The discourse culminates in contemplating the implications of a world devoid of viruses, provoking thought on how such a scenario would have affected the evolution of life itself.