Devangshu Datta: Towards an HIV cure Advances in genetic engineering techniques may finally help us win the battle against this global scourge Devangshu Datta / New Delhi May 04, 2012, 00:53 IST
Since AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, was identified in 1981, there has been only one medically-certified cure. That occurred under unusual circumstances and it gave researchers an important clue about new ways to attack the disease. Recent advances in genetic engineering techniques have aided in this process. Some studies offer new hope of a cure for the 35 million estimated to be infected worldwide.
No disease inspires as much superstitious dread. So far, AIDS is estimated to have killed over 30 million people and it infects millions every year. It is especially prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa.
HIV is transmitted through the exchange of body fluids. Common causes of infection (not necessarily in order) include unprotected sex, blood transfusions, sharing needles and so on. The associations with promiscuity and drug addiction make it hard to implement policies to stop HIV-spread. What works best is a combination of sex education and drug awareness programmes, coupled with easy availability of condoms and disposable needles. But in conservative societies like India, people object to sex education. Some religions also discourage the use of condoms.
Someone infected with HIV (HIV-positive) may survive years, without symptoms. The virus attacks a class of white blood cells called CD4 T-cells. It inserts itself into the cell and replicates. T-cells are part of the natural immune system. Once AIDS develops owing to HIV taking over T-cells, the immune system shuts down. Most AIDS patients die of cancer, pneumonia, or some other infection.
The new approaches involve inserting immune genes into HIV-positive patients, through genetic engineering of stem cells. Every researcher is cautious about claims of cures. The characteristic long symptom-less periods and HIVs ability to hide can be cruelly deceptive. HIV-positive people are also vulnerable to quacks. Many charlatans, including a cross-dresser who teaches yoga on Indian television, have claimed at various times to have found AIDS cures.
Some people have natural genetic immunity for various reasons. Advances in understanding of genomes have helped identify some of the causes of immunity. Researchers have known for a while that a mutated gene called CCR5 Delta 32 offers natural immunity to HIV.
The mutation is rare and found only in a few northern Europeans. The normal CCR5 gene, which most people possess, is the receptor HIV uses to enter T-cells. HIV cannot use the Delta-32 mutated gene and, hence, cannot replicate in a host who has two copies of the CCR5 Delta 32 gene (one inherited from each parent). Even one copy of Delta 32 seems to offer some protection. Only about one per cent of northern Europeans possess both copies.
In 2007, Timothy Ray Brown, an American resident in Berlin, was HIV-positive and also under treatment for leukaemia. Leukaemia causes an abnormal increase in white blood cells and a drop in red cells. Blood cells are produced by bone marrow. One drastic treatment is a bone marrow stem cell transplant from a healthy person. This helps regenerate healthy blood with a good haemoglobin ratio, and a new immune system. Its dangerous since the patients entire immune system must be destroyed prior to the transplant.
Browns doctors at the Charite University Medicine Berlin, Kristina Allers and Gero Hutter, found a compatible donor who belonged to that rare one per cent with the Delta-32 mutation. Five years later, after the transplant procedures, the Berlin Patient, as Brown is called in medical journals, is still HIV-free and doctors concur that this is a functional cure.
More:
Devangshu Datta: Towards an HIV cure
- Who are We? - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Vilsack targeted for his Pro-GMOs stand - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Call for technology to produce cellulosic ethanol - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Kenyan scientists weigh on GMOs - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Indian researcher makes a case for biotechnology - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Michigan smoothens the way for alternative energy investors - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Link of ethanol use to high food prices questioned - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- EU challenges France on GM Maize - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- POET rolls out cellulosic ethanol plant - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- There’s a bright future for cellulosic ethanol investment - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Cellulosic ethanol can considerably reduce gasoline use by 2030 - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Human Genetic Engineering - Background - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Human Genetic Engineering - History - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Human Genetic Engineering - Methods - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Human Genetic Engineering - Uses - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Human Genetic Engineering - Controversy - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Human Genetic Engineering - In popular culture - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Human genetic engineering - An Introduction - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Human Genetic Engineering - A Very Hot Issue! - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- What are the risks of genetic engineering in humans? (human genetic engineering) - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- What are the benefits of human genetic engineering? (human genetic engineering) - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Genetic Engineering - Ethics and Controversy - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Genetic Engineering Ethics In Science Fiction - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Genetic Engineering Ethics - November 7th, 2009 [November 7th, 2009]
- Welcome to Pest Control Exterminator Network - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- OMD - Genetic Engineering - August 27th, 2011 [August 27th, 2011]
- X-Ray Spex - Genetic Engineering - August 27th, 2011 [August 27th, 2011]
- Ancient Alien Nephilim, Giants, Mutants, Genetic Engineering, and Hybrids (2-6) - August 28th, 2011 [August 28th, 2011]
- Human-Plant Hybrid (Genetic Engineering at Home) - August 28th, 2011 [August 28th, 2011]
- Ancient Alien Nephilim, Giants, Mutants, Genetic Engineering, and Hybrids (1-6) - August 29th, 2011 [August 29th, 2011]
- 3. Genetic Engineering - August 29th, 2011 [August 29th, 2011]
- Genetic engineering nightmare - August 31st, 2011 [August 31st, 2011]
- Ancient Alien Nephilim, Giants, Mutants, Genetic Engineering, and Hybrids (3-6) - August 31st, 2011 [August 31st, 2011]
- Future of genetic engineering - by Futurist Dr Patrick Dixon. Genetic mutations and genetic disorders. Gene science by conference keynote speaker - September 2nd, 2011 [September 2nd, 2011]
- Genetic engineering: The world's greatest scam? - September 3rd, 2011 [September 3rd, 2011]
- Watch Fed Up! Genetic Engineering, Industrial Agriculture and Sustainable Alternatives Full Movie Online Part 1/15 - September 3rd, 2011 [September 3rd, 2011]
- Ancient Alien Nephilim, Giants, Mutants, Genetic Engineering, and Hybrids (5-6) - September 5th, 2011 [September 5th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering, Humans with Animals. - September 6th, 2011 [September 6th, 2011]
- Is Genetic Engineering Good for the Environment? - September 7th, 2011 [September 7th, 2011]
- Open Source Food and Genetic Engineering - Michael Pollan - September 10th, 2011 [September 10th, 2011]
- Ancient Alien ( demons ) Nephilim Giants, Mutants Genetic Engineering and Hybrids.avi - September 11th, 2011 [September 11th, 2011]
- MUST SEE : Genetic Engineering Corn Grows in Sand ! For Those That Appreciate Nature ! - September 12th, 2011 [September 12th, 2011]
- Designing Humanity - Genetic Engineering - September 14th, 2011 [September 14th, 2011]
- Genetic Modification | QUEEN ANNE SCIENCE CAFE - September 14th, 2011 [September 14th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering in California Agriculture - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering Animation - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Proof Of Ancient Genetic Engineering - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Joad Cressbeckler Fears Genetic Modification Causes 'Wrath-Minded Taters' - September 16th, 2011 [September 16th, 2011]
- Ethical Concerns With Genetic Engineering - September 16th, 2011 [September 16th, 2011]
- Scientists under Attack - Genetic Engineering in the magnetic Field of Money TRAILER - September 17th, 2011 [September 17th, 2011]
- Genetic Modification - September 18th, 2011 [September 18th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering Not a New Science - Pamela Ronald - September 23rd, 2011 [September 23rd, 2011]
- The Island of Dr. Moreau prt. IV - September 28th, 2011 [September 28th, 2011]
- Ancient Alien Nephilim, Giants, Mutants, Genetic Engineering, and Hybrids (4-6) - September 30th, 2011 [September 30th, 2011]
- 4. Genetic Engineering (cont.) - October 2nd, 2011 [October 2nd, 2011]
- Ancient Alien Nephilim, Giants, Mutants, Genetic Engineering, and Hybrids (6-6) - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Islands at Risk (Part 3) - Genetic Engineering in Hawai'i - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Morgellons Is Genetic Engineering , A Silent Superbug - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Islands at Risk (Part 2) - Genetic Engineering in Hawai'i - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- The Ethics of Genetically Engineering Children - Arthur Caplan - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Disney Geneticists Debut New Child Stars - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering and Society, Lecture 1a, Honors Collegium 70A, UCLA - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- OMD - Genetic Engineering (312mm Version) (Audio Only) - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- The difference between normal and genetically modified food - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Bioethics Of Human Genetic Engineering - Documentary Video - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- Islands at Risk (Part 1) - Genetic Engineering in Hawai'i - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- Coast To Coast AM: Genetic Engineering 3-24-2011 Download Link - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- Lloyd Pye - Ancient Genetic Engineering - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- X RAY SPEX - ROUNDHOUSE LONDON GENETIC ENGINEERING - Video - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- OMD - Genetic Engineering 1983 - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- OMD - GENETIC ENGINEERING - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- Mechanism of Recombination - Video - October 15th, 2011 [October 15th, 2011]
- Harvard Prof. Michael Sandel on Human Genetic Modification, Berkeley, CA, 7 May 2007 - Video - October 15th, 2011 [October 15th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering [Medical Ethics Series] - (excerpt) - Video - October 15th, 2011 [October 15th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering and Society, Lecture 1b, Honors Collegium 70A, UCLA - Video - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- Genomics: genetic modification (genetic engineering) and the human gene project - Video - October 26th, 2011 [October 26th, 2011]
- Genetically Engineering Intelligent Babies - Horizon: Are We Still Evolving? Preview - BBC Two - Video - October 27th, 2011 [October 27th, 2011]
- "GENETIC ENGINEERING" GERMAN REGIME feat THIRSTIN HOWL THE3RD - Video - October 28th, 2011 [October 28th, 2011]
- Science 360: Genetic Engineering - Video - October 31st, 2011 [October 31st, 2011]
- UFOTV Presents... - Bad Seed: Danger of Genetically Modified Food - Video - November 8th, 2011 [November 8th, 2011]