cryptochrome's Journal: The Fight Against HIV

I've taken an interest in HIV recently, arguably the most formidable infectious disease we've ever seen since the development of modern medicine with germ theory. Our most advanced medical science has so far been completely stumped by this little retrovirus, a failing only exceeded by the cavalier and frequently cynical approach taken by governments and society in dealing with the threat of this illness. Drug therapies have improved greatly over the years but none offer a cure. Vaccine research has been far more depressing, and the hypothesis that the human immune system is entirely incapable of dealing with AIDS has been gaining increasing credence. My hunch is that the hunt for an AIDS remedy is going to push us to develop a completely new way to prevent/treat disease, which will be broadly applicable to other ailments. Specifically, somatic cell genetic engineering.

However, that sort of work is only beginning, and much research needs to be done. The core of the task is the study of the structure and function of the human and HIV genes involved in infection, a process which is not entirely understood. And while genetic engineering may be the final solution, this basic research is what have enabled a number of somewhat-promising conventional approaches.

I'll be covering all the ones I know about in a series of journal entries, in order of how soon they might be employed in treatment. In the meantime check out my post that inspired this line of journal articles.