BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | First synthetic virus created:

That was 11 July, 2002:

Scientists have assembled the first synthetic virus.

To construct the virus, the researchers say they followed a recipe they downloaded from the internet and used gene sequences from a mail-order supplier.

The animals were paralysed and then died.

The more dangerous smallpox virus would be complex and difficult to assemble, but Cello says, "it would probably in the future be possible".

Now, more recent (January 12, 2005), in the International Herald Tribune:

Synthetic virus in reach

An unexpectedly sudden advance in synthesizing long lengths of DNA has put researchers within reach of manufacturing genomes the size of the smallpox virus.

This will permit efficient and rapid synthesis of any Select Agent virus genome in very short order," he said, referring to the list of dangerous pathogens and toxins that possessors are required to register with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In his view, any facility possessing the new DNA synthesis equipment should be assumed capable of making any virus on the Select Agent list.

Church has no interest in synthesizing dangerous pathogens but is aware of the potential for misuse of DNA synthesis. He recently proposed that the machines and ingredients for synthesizing DNA should be controlled, with manufacturers selling supplies only to facilities whose DNA machines are registered.

And then I'll refer the reader to the book "Our Final Century" by Sir Martin Rees, for a more disquieting (I think they use this word quite often in relation to the book) analysis of these and other pending extinction events. The Institute for the Future (IFTF) may also be of interest for keeping an eye on...uhm...the future.