Stephen Hawking told a UK newspaper that humans need to colonize space or they face extinction due to the creation "by accident or design" of a deadly virus.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sc...000/1602361.stm

Some of Hawking's colleagues, however, have labeled his comments as "regrettable hype."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sc...000/1604714.stm

Editor's comment: This is a time when when antibiotic abuse is rising, and the development of untreatable serious viral infections is also increasing. I believe that the threat of a viral plague is real, and that greater resources need to be devoted to anti-viral vaccines and medications.

Books of interest:

The Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking, c2001

The Illustrated Brief History of Time, Updated and Expanded Edition by Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking's Universe (on DVD)

Virus X: Tracking the New Killer Plagues

Virus Hunter : Thirty Years of Battling Hot Viruses Around the World by CJ Peters