AIDS Eradication AIDS Eradication

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AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is currently a global problem that has been proclaimed an epidemic cause by the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) virus. The growing disease is particularly a big problem for developing countries in Africa including the country of its source, Cameroon. Although AIDS is a widespread disease, scientists have yet to develop a vaccine against the HIV virus. Many scientists have already abandoned the idea because of HIVs rapidly mutating genome and have resorted to finding a way to stop transmission among HIV-negative and HIV-positive people. Similarly to smallpox, awareness and prevention programs are currently being promoted in order to eradicate this disease. Even still, every nine and a half minutes, a person in the U.S. is contracted with AIDS although the U.S. is a developed country. This fact amplifies the emergency of this global epidemic. Along with the increase in AIDS awareness, many have started to research people who have natural immunity to HIV. Many Northern Europeans and Central Asians have a desired mutation that prevents the growth of the immune cells causing the absence of the receptors which normally allow entry to the cell. Their T4 cell count does decrease slightly but balances out at around 500. Along with them, there are special cases of natural immunity in Africa, a recent study shows. A small percentage of Africans also have immunity because of a mutation that has antigens coat the surface of their cells. Even more interesting is the number of babies who are HIV-positive at birth because their mothers were, but end up immune to HIV within 18 months. Many scientists predict that their initial exposure to HIV-positive blood caused a trigger to flip and provide immunity to HIV. With increasing globalization and technological advancements, scientists have finally been able to cure a man with AIDS. In 2006, the man with AIDS was cured completely of the disease along with his leukemia cancer. This stunning miracle occurred in Berlin, Germany to an American man who had been HIV-positive and also was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. The doctors decided to give him a stem cell transplant of a donor who had identical tissue types for him. But then, in addition to the doctors attempts to cure his cancer, they went a step further to cure his AIDS by scanning the computer system of available donors for people with a genetic mutation that gives natural immunity to AIDS. After a second transplant, the man was completely cured of his cancer and AIDS and still thrives today without a trace of either disease. The miracle that occurred symbolizes a thin strand of hope left for scientists who are working to develop a vaccine for AIDS. The future of AIDS is still cloudy with obstacles and fog but optimism is aroused with the declining mortality rate of the disease and the increasing amount of new drugs and information learned about the HIV virus and its infectious procedure. Also, the sources of natural immunity have provided

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scientists with a whole new field to research and discover as the disease begins to stabilize and die down with new medication. Eradication efforts continue to spread as its awareness increases thanks to todays globalized state. Works Cited Goldman, B.. (2009, Sep. Day ). In AIDS Eradication is a Failure but Lets Not Give Up. Retrieved Apr. 18, 2010, from http://www.thebody.com/content/treat/art53624.html?getPage=1 Dealers-United Inc,. (2010, Feb. 24 ). In African Americans Dieing From HIV/AIDS. Retrieved Apr. 18, 2010, from http://hivmississippi.blogspot.com/2010/03/hiv-aids-immunityeradication-and-its.html