Medical and Economic Significance of Viruses

Harmful Effects of Viruses

1. Human Diseases:

• Viruses cause illnesses such as the flu, cold, measles, mumps, and AIDS.
• These diseases cause medical problems and economic losses due to healthcare costs and time lost at work.

2. Plant Diseases:

• Tobacco mosaic disease, potato mosaic disease.

3. Animal Diseases:

• Foot and mouth disease in cattle, rabies in dogs.

Benefits of Viruses

1. Genetic Engineering: Viruses (used as vectors) can transfer genes from one organism to another.
2. Restriction Enzymes: Viruses provide restriction enzymes that are used to cut DNA strands in genetic engineering.
3. Bacteriophages are used to control some bacterial infections.