A group of French scientists have uncovered a giant virus dubbed by many as "Frankenvirus" in Siberia. This week, they announced their plans to bring it to back to life.

The announcement was made in U.S. National Academy Sciences journal. This is actually the fourth mega virus discovered in the span of 12 years and all of them were discovered in the permafrost regions of Siberia. The French researchers previously discovered another similar sized virus.

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Public health and safety demands that scientists ensure that reviving the big virus will not bring any type sickness to people and animals.

A virus is generally classified as a giant if its more than 0.5 microns in length. The scientists have named the newly discovered big bug Mollivirus sibericum or the "soft virus from Siberia." It measures more than half a micron at 0.6.

Many weather experts believe that ongoing global warming is melting what was once frozen solid grounds in places such as Siberia.

Jean-Michel Claverie, one of the leaders of the research, said in an interview that it is possible some of the virus buried in the Siberian permafrost would once again be released and could infect humans.

Russians are eager to exploit Siberia's natural resources (such as oil) since many previously inaccessible places can now be explored due to the disappearing permafrost.

He warned that if humans are not careful in their race to extract minerals and oil in the region, there is a possibility that a virus harmful to people may be accidentally released.

Two years ago, Calverie and his team discovered another mega virus in the same area where they discovered their latest find. They were successful in bringing back to life that virus named Pithovirus sibericum .

All of the discovered giant viruses were thought to have existed during the latest ice Age. In contrast to the modern viruses, they are not only giants but have a genetic makeup that is very much complex.

The first giant virus has been given the name, Pandoravirus, was made up of at least 2,500 genes, while the Mollivirus has only 500. A modern virus, such as the deadly Influenza A, has merely eight.

Tagsfrankenvirus, big virus, mega virus, giant virus, siberian virus, us national academy sciences, mollivirus sibericum, pithovirus sibericum, pandoravirus, ice age virus