"Study Gives Hope of Altering Genes to Repel H.I.V."

Grady, Denise. "Study Gives Hope of Altering Genes to Repel H.I.V." The New York Times. The New York Times, 05 Mar. 2014. Web. 05 Mar. 2014.http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/06/health/study-gives-hope-of-altering-genes-to-repel-hiv.html?ref=science

       I read the article, “Study Gives Hope of Altering Genes to Repel H.I.V.” written by Denise Grady. In the article, she discusses how the possibility of altering genes to resists the virus that cause AIDS which was previously though to be impossible, is now possible as shown by recent studies. The research was done by taking 12 people infected with H.I.V. and scientists used the technique of  “gene editing” to get rid of a protein on the patients’ immune cells that the virus must latch onto to invade the cells. The “cells were removed from the patients, treated and then dripped back into their bloodstreams through an intravenous line.” Scientists believe that if enough cells are engineered to resists the AIDS virus then this disease could be cured. Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said that “It’s exciting, interesting, elegant science. But a lot of ‘ifs’ need to be addressed before you can say ‘Wow, this could really work.” Dr. Fauci also discusses if this is the most effective form of treatment because the “gene editing” is a very complex treatment, whereas the anti-viral pills are fairly simple. The study obtained it basis from a discovery in 1990. The discovery found that a small percentage of people are resistant to H.I.V. thanks to a lucky mutation that causes their immune cells to lack CCR5, a protein that gives the virus a foothold. In people with one copy of the mutated gene, the infection progresses more slowly than in those who have normal CCR5. People who have inherited two copies of the mutated gene, one from each parent, are highly resistant to H.I.V. and may never become infected despite repeated exposure.

            For the people that are affected by H.I.V. this research could be the different between life and death. About 1.6 million people die a year from H.I.V./ AIDS. This option may be an improvement from the anti-viral medications because they have bad side effects. The research on gene editing, while it is still in the primary stages, is something that should be considered as a long-term solution for this virus.

            This article was very well written and I enjoyed reading it. The author used specific information about the studies and how scientists are trying to find a cure for H.I.V. She also included specific quotes, which enriched the article. I am interested to see what the results of this research will be. Overall, the article taught me that the process of “gene cutting” can be used to change the genes in cells and then put them back in the body. Maybe this can be used to cure other disease in the future if it is successful.