Biologists Discover Why 10 Percent Of Europeans Are Safe From HIV Infection

Biologists at the University of Liverpool have discovered how the plagues of the Middle Ages have made around 10% of Europeans resistant to HIV.
Scientists have known for some time that these individuals carry a genetic mutation (known as CCR5-delta 32) that prevents the virus from entering the cells of the immune system but have been unable to account for the high levels of the gene in Scandinavia and relatively low levels in areas bordering the ... Full Story »

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David Starr
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by David Starr - Oct. 1, 2008

This story is a little old, but new to me. It actually goes back to April 2005. The key point is that identification of a specific mutation of a specific gene conferring AIDS immunity implies that a clever anti AIDS drug or vaccine could confer the same immunity. In short an "silver bullet" against AIDS is possible.

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