Are Viruses Alive?

Are viruses life forms or not? Scientists have been fighting about it for years, and Anthony has more on the latest wrinkle in this seemingly simple yet age-old debate. Read More: "New Study Shows Viruses Can Have Immune Systems" http://now.tufts.edu/news-releases/new-study-shows-viruses-can-have-immune-syste "A study published today in the journal Nature reports that a viral predator of the cholera bacteria has stolen the functional immune system of bacteria and is using it against its bacterial host." "Viruses Pass Major Test to Enter Ranks of Living" http://news.discovery.com/human/health/viruses-with-immune-systems-130227.htm "Viruses can acquire fully functional immune systems, according to new research that bolsters the controversial theory that viruses are living creatures." "Zoologger: The only virus with an immune system" http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn23224-zoologger-the-only-virus-with-an-immune-system.html "The tiny virus, barely 200 nanometres long, is about to infect its favourite victim: Vibrio cholerae, the species that causes cholera." "Viruses Can Have Immune Systems: A Pirate Phage Commandeers the Immune System of Bacteria" http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227134334.htm "A study published today in the journal Nature reports that a viral predator of the cholera bacteria has stolen the functional immune system of bacteria and is using it against its bacterial host. " "This virus can steal its host's immune system" http://io9.com/5987598/this-virus-has-its-very-own-immune-system Viruses and their hosts are in a perpetual state of evolutionary war. Host organisms try to find ways to get rid of their parasitic interlopers, while viruses develop countermeasures to evade rejection. DNews is a show about the science of everyday life. We post two new videos every day of the week. Watch More http://www.youtube.com/dnewschannel Subscribe http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzWQYUVCpZqtN93H8RR44Qw?sub_confirmation=1 DNews Twitter https://twitter.com/dnews Anthony Carboni Twitter: https://twitter.com/acarboni Laci Green Twitter https://twitter.com/gogreen18 Trace Dominguez Twitter https://twitter.com/trace501 DNews Facebook http://www.facebook.com/DNews DNews Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/106194964544004197170/posts DNews Website http://discoverynews.com/