Possible cure for HIV

[skyrider 0]

I wasn't sure which forum great medical news goes in...

http://www.gizmag.com/first-cure-hiv-infection/17277/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=d4751cb557-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email

[karenmeal 0]

Wow, that's good news. I wonder what percent of the population has the natural resistance that they talk about in the article.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[shah269 0]

Every gene pool is immune to something.
I think on average people of north east Iran are less likely to pick up oral herpes or herpes labialis.
There are a few gene pools in parts of Africa that also have immunity from various viruses.
As I recall with respect to HIV, those who's family survived the plague.

The future of medicine appears to be genetic medicine where by we augment our natural immune system utilizing DNA modification. But that's not going to be for a another 20 odd years if we are lucky.

But sadly, HIV is a survivable illness, i you are well off and live in the developed world.

Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay.

The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools!

[Squeak 17]

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But sadly, HIV is a survivable illness, i you are well off and live in the developed world.

As are many many other illnesses

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[murrays 0]

The tradeoff would be the resulting rejection issues/graft versus host disease....which can kill you as well.

My wife had a stem cell transplant for leukemia 5 years ago and has only in the past week been taken off her last immunosuppression drug. She recently lost a friend and fellow leukemia patient to GVHD.

Going off on a related tangent....I was wondering the other day if it would be possible to have your own stem cells harvested and then frozen for possible future use...similar to what you can do with cord blood when your kids are borne?

After seeing what my wife went through, I'd be willing to pay to have stem cells harvested and preserved. They sometimes do transplant your own stem cells for leukemia (autologous transplant) but only in certain circumstances is it possible. Anybody know?

--
Murray

"No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

[JohnMitchell 16]

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As I recall with respect to HIV, those who's family survived the plague.

The future of medicine appears to be genetic medicine where by we augment our natural immune system utilizing DNA modification. But that's not going to be for a another 20 odd years if we are lucky.

But sadly, HIV is a survivable illness, i you are well off and live in the developed world.

I've read similar conjectures on natural resistance in populations that have survived The Plague. I read that the farther North you go in Europe, the higher the resistance. Hmm, maybe you should date a lot of Swedish super models, Shah.
Genetic manipulation is certainly the new frontier in medicine. Now if when can just back off on antibiotics a bit to quit creating super bugs.

I'm glad HIV can be lived with. However, it's extremely expensive and not very healthy to do so. Prevention is still the best route. As far as 3rd world countries, it would take a lot of doing from the rest of the world to finance HIV therapies for the millions infected. Best money would be spent on prevention, education and maybe a source of clean drinking water.

[JohnMitchell 16]

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After seeing what my wife went through, I'd be willing to pay to have stem cells harvested and preserved. They sometimes do transplant your own stem cells for leukemia (autologous transplant) but only in certain circumstances is it possible. Anybody know?

I don't, but I've read that you can have your own stem cells harvested at anytime.