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AIDS Origin: Theories, HIV Research And Primates
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Published: August 6, 2007
AIDS is a virus that destroys the immune system, rendering the body weak and defenseless. But AIDS origin is something that is up for debate. There are many theories about HIV and AIDS origin, but none have been completely confirmed. But one of the most important facts to know is that AIDS is one of the later stages of HIV.
Once a person is deemed incapable of fighting off infections and illness, he or she is diagnosed with AIDS. These people are highly susceptible to sicknesses such as pneumonia, and extreme care should be taken to avoid contamination. But with different, plausible explanations for AIDS origin, perhaps one day soon a theory can be proved correct. Currently, there are five popular AIDS origin theories.
The first AIDS origin theory is known as the Hunter Theory and is the most widely accepted. In 1999, researchers found a strain of a virus almost identical to HIV, but known as SIV, in primates. The researchers concluded that the virus must have crossed species, probably when a hunter came in contact with chimp blood after a kill. After all, trainees of First Aid are constantly reminded to never let blood come into contact with the skin. AIDS is spread through the exchange of bodily fluids like blood, and this is a plausible theory. Also, some people in the bush eat chimpanzees, as they are a source of meat, and this could easily allow the virus to cross species. Either way, this AIDS origin theory has become very popular.
The second AIDS origin theory does not involve primates, but humans, making it extremely controversial. Some think that the disease was intentionally given to people in Africa in hopes that it would be a live vaccination against polio. This vaccine needed to be cultivated in living tissue, and journalist Edward Hooper believed that it could have been raised in the organs of chimps infected with the SIV virus. This controversial AIDS origin theory caused an uproar, but has been almost completely discredited. This AIDS origin theory was rejected mainly because it only shows how one type of AIDS could have crossed species, and due to the fact that HIV was already active in the human population before this vaccine was released.
The third speculation as to AIDS origin is an addendum to the Hunter Theory, called the Contaminated Theory. Nowadays, it is common knowledge to never share needles, as that is an easy way to contract AIDS or other diseases. But in the 1950s, syringes were expensive, despite being fantastic for vaccinating people against illness. Some people think that in Africa, needles were shared and reused due to costs. As a result, it is possible for AIDS to have been transmitted by the shared needles.
The Colonialism Theory is the fourth theory about AIDS origin. Workers in Africa were in horrible conditions, and were desperately looking for any source of nourishment to feed their deprived bodies. A slow-moving chimp, however sickly, would be an easy catch and could provide a meal. Despite it being so repulsive, the workers would have had no way of knowing that a chimp could be infected with SIV, the form of HIV in primates. Thus, they could become infected by eating the chimp's meat. After the meat was consumed, the AIDS would be able to spread through other means, such as syringes, unprotected sexual activities, and the like.
Finally, some believe the government manufactured AIDS to wipe out African-Americans and homosexuals. However, this speculation has little strength behind the fire, and it does not even take note of the fact that there is a link to SIV. While most have discarded the thought of AIDS originating from the government, it does bring up many questions about racial prejudices and all kinds of ethical treatment. Perhaps this theory about AIDS origin is almost worthless on the scientific level, but it brings up so many important questions that it should not be ignored.
AIDS origin is a long debated mystery, but to those who know people who are suffering, the cure is what matters most. AIDS spreads rampant through impoverished areas, but with prudence it can be stopped. The previous theories help provide different thoughts on AIDS origin, but ultimately, the most important thing to do is to try to find a remedy. Hopefully, these theories on AIDS origin can enlighten the public on ways to stop AIDS from being transmitted, and end this horrible disease.
Sources:
Kanabus, Annabel and Sarah Allen. "The Origins of HIV and the First Cases of Aids." Avert. 26 June 2007.25 July 2007. http://www.avert.org/origins.htm
The Facts About HIV and AIDS. Lifebeat. 2007. 25 July 2007. http://www.lifebeat.org/just_the_facts.htm
"Scientists Trace AIDS Origin to Wild Chimps." Associated Press. 25 May 2006. msnbc.com. 25 July 2007. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12966623/
The Origin of AIDS May Not be What You Have Learned. OriginofAIDS.com. 2002. 25 July 2007. http://www.originofaids.com/
Related Articles
The first AIDS origin theory is known as the Hunter Theory and is the most widely accepted. In 1999, researchers found a strain of a virus almost identical to HIV, but known as SIV, in primates. The researchers concluded that the virus must have crossed species, probably when a hunter came in contact with chimp blood after a kill. After all, trainees of First Aid are constantly reminded to never let blood come into contact with the skin. AIDS is spread through the exchange of bodily fluids like blood, and this is a plausible theory. Also, some people in the bush eat chimpanzees, as they are a source of meat, and this could easily allow the virus to cross species. Either way, this AIDS origin theory has become very popular.
The second AIDS origin theory does not involve primates, but humans, making it extremely controversial. Some think that the disease was intentionally given to people in Africa in hopes that it would be a live vaccination against polio. This vaccine needed to be cultivated in living tissue, and journalist Edward Hooper believed that it could have been raised in the organs of chimps infected with the SIV virus. This controversial AIDS origin theory caused an uproar, but has been almost completely discredited. This AIDS origin theory was rejected mainly because it only shows how one type of AIDS could have crossed species, and due to the fact that HIV was already active in the human population before this vaccine was released.
The third speculation as to AIDS origin is an addendum to the Hunter Theory, called the Contaminated Theory. Nowadays, it is common knowledge to never share needles, as that is an easy way to contract AIDS or other diseases. But in the 1950s, syringes were expensive, despite being fantastic for vaccinating people against illness. Some people think that in Africa, needles were shared and reused due to costs. As a result, it is possible for AIDS to have been transmitted by the shared needles.
The Colonialism Theory is the fourth theory about AIDS origin. Workers in Africa were in horrible conditions, and were desperately looking for any source of nourishment to feed their deprived bodies. A slow-moving chimp, however sickly, would be an easy catch and could provide a meal. Despite it being so repulsive, the workers would have had no way of knowing that a chimp could be infected with SIV, the form of HIV in primates. Thus, they could become infected by eating the chimp's meat. After the meat was consumed, the AIDS would be able to spread through other means, such as syringes, unprotected sexual activities, and the like.
Finally, some believe the government manufactured AIDS to wipe out African-Americans and homosexuals. However, this speculation has little strength behind the fire, and it does not even take note of the fact that there is a link to SIV. While most have discarded the thought of AIDS originating from the government, it does bring up many questions about racial prejudices and all kinds of ethical treatment. Perhaps this theory about AIDS origin is almost worthless on the scientific level, but it brings up so many important questions that it should not be ignored.
AIDS origin is a long debated mystery, but to those who know people who are suffering, the cure is what matters most. AIDS spreads rampant through impoverished areas, but with prudence it can be stopped. The previous theories help provide different thoughts on AIDS origin, but ultimately, the most important thing to do is to try to find a remedy. Hopefully, these theories on AIDS origin can enlighten the public on ways to stop AIDS from being transmitted, and end this horrible disease.
Sources:
Kanabus, Annabel and Sarah Allen. "The Origins of HIV and the First Cases of Aids." Avert. 26 June 2007.25 July 2007. http://www.avert.org/origins.htm
The Facts About HIV and AIDS. Lifebeat. 2007. 25 July 2007. http://www.lifebeat.org/just_the_facts.htm
"Scientists Trace AIDS Origin to Wild Chimps." Associated Press. 25 May 2006. msnbc.com. 25 July 2007. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12966623/
The Origin of AIDS May Not be What You Have Learned. OriginofAIDS.com. 2002. 25 July 2007. http://www.originofaids.com/
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