Are there any examples of viruses beneficial to their host?

Subject: Are there any examples of viruses beneficial to their host?

Date: Sat Jan 13 15:22:51 2001
Posted by Tineke
Grade level: teacher/prof School: No school entered.
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Area of science: Virology
ID: 979417371.Vi

Message:


There are lots of examples of bacteria that are beneficial to their host, 
e.g bioluminescent bacteria in deep-sea fish, the enteric bacteria that 
make up the natural flora in our gut etc.  As for viruses in nature, the 
only ones I am aware of cause disease or are dormant at best.  Are there 
any (specific) examples of viruses in nature that are beneficial to the 
host they infect?

Re: Are there any examples of viruses beneficial to their host?

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