The Swine Influenza and Science Fiction

You would have to be living on another planet if you have not heard of the current outbreak of Swine Influenza. According to the World Health Organization we are currently in a phase 4 pandemic alert. I have been following one of my favorite blogs written by a physician in Mexico (who is also an avid cyclist!) There are updates and relevant info regarding the situation on the blog Living Strong and Healthy Blogger.
As you know, I love science fiction and biology in science fiction is not an unusual topic. There is a great blog devoted to Biology in Science Fiction.
This outbreak has brought to mind some interesting diseases that have been introduced throughout the years such as 28 Days Later with that crazy virus "Rage." This is more a monster chasing thriller type movie vs. science fiction. "Survivors" is a re-imaged sci fi series about a genetically engineered influenza virus that wipes out most of the human race. Now we are moving into conspiracy theories and believe me there are some out there who feel this current swine influenza is the next step towards the New World Order.
Another interesting viral attack was on Star Trek:DS9 the episode Babel, where a genetically created virus was spreading through the replicated food and caused aphasia at first but mutated and became airborne which then caused fever and eventually death. The original virus was to be used against the enemy as a form of bio-terrorism.
Science fiction has not been shy about the use of bio-organisms as topics set in either warfare or post-apocalyptic settings basically setting a scenario for us that humans have the ability to self-destruct weather by physical elements, new weapons, or even biological means.
Some science fiction can be very dark and examine the shadowy side of human nature but it can also be very positive and see the potential we have as human beings.
One message I really appreciate in science fiction, is that a disease does not discriminate and requires scientific minds to find appropriate treatment and you cannot stigmatize a specific group of people because they become afflicted with a disease. It is wrong to think that certain groups of people deserve to get sick, no one does, but unfortunately we may become a host or carrier and that is the nature of disease and its method for transmission.