Swine flu conspiracy theories swirl

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Conspiracy theories surrounding the swine flu outbreak seem to be popping up at the same rate as agencies confirm new cases throughout North America.

As the swine flu hysteria goes global and people search for a quick solution for avoiding the swine flu, it's somewhat difficult not to be distracted by some of the theories floating around online. Take a look at the colorful scenarios conspiracy theorists cook up.

Swine-flu inspired conspiracy theories

1. The swine flu is a man-made virus cooked up by the government to intentionally unleash a biological weapon into the wild in a crime against humanity, in somewhat of a bioterrorist move.

• NaturalNews.com said, "Throughout human history, virtually all the great crimes against humanity have been carried out by governments...So let's be clear about one thing: Governments are certainly capable of doing this if properly motivated. Let there be no question about that."

2. Western governments created the flu to rake in profits.

• PRESSTV reported Indonesian Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari said Tuesday the deadly swine flu virus could have been genetically engineered, earlier accusing Western governments of making and spreading viruses in developing countries to boost pharmaceutical companies' profits.

3. The Republicans are to blame for the swine flu outbreak.

• Spiked-online mentioned left-wing conspiratorial-minded crusaders blame the Republicans in U.S. Congress for cutting 'pandemic preparedness' funds out of Obama's economic stimulus package.

4. Corporations factory-farming pigs are responsible.

• "It certainly would not surprise me if this was simply the latest monster disease to emerge from the factory farming of meat," said Sindark.com. "Packing together unhealthy, antibiotic-marinated animals in proximity with human workers is pretty much the most efficient possible incubator for novel pathogens."

5. President Obama's presidency is the reason for the swine flu outbreak.

• The Hominidviews blog Web site had the following comment by Michelle Bachmann suggesting the democratic president has such a strong coincidental tie to the outbreak: "I find it interesting that it was back in the 1970s that the swien flu broke out then under another Democrat president Jimmy Carter."
• Republican Gerald Ford was president during the 1976 swine flu outbreak, where he made a decision for a national inoculation that is still debated by experts today.

6. Baxter Corporation created the virus to make money.

• A Web site claims the Baxter Corporation makes the only cure for the swine virus and is facing massive layoffs in addition to a sea of red ink: "Like all evil corporations in movies, they area behind the whole evil plot to make money in a massive conspiracy that goes all the way to the top."

7. TV networks are behind it all.

• Another claim said the press used their passes to get access to government labs with the virus and spread it using their Mexican affiliates. "The sagging TV news ratings and plummeting ad revenues are already forcing massive layoffs. Without a huge increase in ratings, TV news could follow the way of the newspaper."

8. Doctors created the widespread virus to see themselves through the recession.

• With rising costs and a looming recession, a Web site claims a splinter group from the American Medical Association released the disease to save their expensive cars and home from foreclosure.

9. Surgical-mask producers needed to get rid of inventory.

• One Web site aligned the surgical-mask producers with General Motors, saying they were sitting on huge inventories and facing bankruptcy. However, unlike GM the mask producers had easy access to medical supplies and the medical expertise necessary. The Web site offers the insight that the outbreak could lead to the largest manufacturing runs for surgical masks in world history.

10. Anti-immigration forces schemed up the virus.

• Left with no other options and with democrats moving forward on legalizing illegals, anti-immigration forces engineered the swine flu so the United States would close the borders once and for all. A Web site said the reasoning behind it all is to reduce the population trying to get over the border in one 'final solution.'

 

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Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steve Berkowitz with St. David's HealthCare talks about swine flu myths, conspiracies and good health care practices