Genetic meltdown: A genomic crisis due to an extraordinarily high rate of mutation, a phenomenon known to occur in viruses and perhaps in other organisms.
For example, the antiviral agent Ribavirin acts by inducing genomic meltdown. The drug accelerates the already-high mutation rate of RNA viruses, creates a genomic crisis, and destroys the infectivity of the virus.
There is a limit to how much variation a genome can tolerate without irretrievably degrading its genetic information. If a population of viruses is replicating at the brink, just a bit of extra pressure from a mutagen, such as ribavirin, can nudge it into the abyss of genetic meltdown, resulting in an inability for it to replicate and survive.
Alibris has Genetic Meltdown and other books by Cynthia Alvarez, including new & used copies, rare, out-of-print signed editions, and more.
From ape to man via genetic meltdown: a theory in crisis. A review of Genetic Entropy & The Mystery of the Genome by John C. Sanford, Ivan Press, Lima, New York, 2005
Genetic meltdown: A genomic crisis due to an extraordinarily high rate of mutation, a phenomenon known to occur in viruses and perhaps in other organisms.
The antiviral drug ribavirin works by creating such extreme mutation rates in viruses that it drives them into "genetic meltdown," according to researchers.
December 07, 2000 Antiviral Drug Works by Causing "Genetic Meltdown" The antiviral drug ribavirin works by creating such extreme mutation rates in viruses that it drives ...