Gene editing/HIV

[PAUL-E]

The world's first gene-editing trials took place in California, involving a different technique, ZFNs. Around 80 patients with HIV had immune cells in their blood removed.
Scientists then deleted a gene called CCR5 which HIV uses to gain entry to cells. The treatment is based on a rare, gene mutation which gives some people a natural immunity to the disease.
Matt Chappell had his immune cells gene edited
One of the volunteers was Matt Chappell, 52, who has lived with HIV most of his adult life and witnessed the devastating impact that HIV/Aids has had on the gay community in San Francisco.
Matt has been off all antiretroviral medication for two years since having his immune cells gene edited.
These were small trials so caution is needed before reading too much into the results, but they are nonetheless extremely promising.

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-36439260

 

[Vince]

Paul thanks for the post, interesting trials.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

I am part of HIV cure research teams as a community representative. There are very exciting things being explored but we still have a ways to go. Only one person has been cured but doctors have not been able to replicate his case.

http://www.thebody.com/content/62952/timothy-brown-the-other-side-of-the-cure.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJgKYybd2aI

 

[PAUL-E]

As science progresses I'm sure we will see some amazing things as long as less profitable things aren't suppressed. Example: more profitable to treat/manage than to cure.

 

[James]

more profitable to treat/manage than to cure.

Completely agree.

 

[PAUL-E]

To make things a little more complicated Scientists confirm second layer of information in DNA
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/201...nd-layer-of-information-in-DNA/6431465390812/

 

[James]

What a horrible disease. I hope scientists are really getting closer to a vaccine and/or cure. And the business of the medicine doesn't get in the way of truly helping people.