Gene enhancement

[Centurion]

Afaik you are already able to cut the DNA into pieces and put in other pieces of DNA, too. It has been developed for ages now to fight HIV.

Sorry Esp, I just had to reply to this.

Well, they can cut DNA into pieces and match them with other pieces but I guess they're not successful at implanting it in a fetus, I doubt there are babies who are born with modified DNA.

It might be possible to create cure for HIV by using that method but you can't really create super soldiers with modified DNA, yet?

[Espadon]

The problem with HIV is that it's highly adaptive. I doubt we will be able to cure HIV with something that doesn't constantly adapt to counter HIV as it mutates. The problem with that is that the cure then has the potential to be as, or more dangerous than the affliction. A wolf that has run out of deer to eat will go for man.

We do not have sufficient knowledge of the Human genome to know how to produce enhanced traits. Even if we did, it's a huge ethical issue to produce such an enhanced Human.

[VijchtiDoodah]

There are already individuals who naturally suppress HIV and therefore never develop AIDS, scientists have also already identified the genes responsible for this change. Gene therapy (in which someone is given genes after birth) and other forms of genetic engineering (in which genes are changed in an egg before birth) have also been successful. But there are still many problems and, as yet, nobody has used genetic engineering to cure AIDS (afaik).

There is a different form of therapy for HIV that is being explored, though. All it takes is a bone marrow transplant from an HIV-immune individual to someone with HIV.

[echo_trail]

I reckon genetic enhancements will be part of our reality before too long, like it or not. It has absolutely huge potential, and it seems obvious that those who can afford it will take advantage of it, once it becomes a viable and risk free option. I would.

That being said, we've reached a level of scientific know-how that I personally think we'd be better served without. Genetic enhancement is no different, but we have no choice but to roll with it. Give your kid an increased mind for math, or enable him to have a better understanding of language. Increase his IQ, his physical adaptation, his resistance to stress or sickness, or even the value of his sperm.. all this before he or she is even born. Who can fight such a landscape?

[Espadon]

There are already individuals who naturally suppress HIV and therefore never develop AIDS, scientists have also already identified the genes responsible for this change. Gene therapy (in which someone is given genes after birth) and other forms of genetic engineering (in which genes are changed in an egg before birth) have also been successful. But there are still many problems and, as yet, nobody has used genetic engineering to cure AIDS (afaik).

There is a different form of therapy for HIV that is being explored, though. All it takes is a bone marrow transplant from an HIV-immune individual to someone with HIV.

I stand corrected. That's pretty fantastic.
Do you have links or stuff I can do follow up reading on this [HIV suppression]?

[VijchtiDoodah]

Google "HIV marrow transplant".

[-Major-]

There are already individuals who naturally suppress HIV and therefore never develop AIDS, scientists have also already identified the genes responsible for this change. Gene therapy (in which someone is given genes after birth) and other forms of genetic engineering (in which genes are changed in an egg before birth) have also been successful. But there are still many problems and, as yet, nobody has used genetic engineering to cure AIDS (afaik).

There is a different form of therapy for HIV that is being explored, though. All it takes is a bone marrow transplant from an HIV-immune individual to someone with HIV.

I stand corrected. That's pretty fantastic.
Do you have links or stuff I can do follow up reading on this [HIV suppression]?

except that bone marrow transplants aren't safe, since your body can reject it, and thus you die...

I think atleast ;o

[Neosano]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS_denialism

HIV is a lie ^_^

[DarkCrusade]

I don't think so.

[Dusty]

except that bone marrow transplants aren't safe, since your body can reject it, and thus you die...

I think atleast ;o

You should really think more; HIV kills. I'd much rather take the chance to be cured than be afraid of the possible complications that might occur and die sick after some time.

[Neosano]

except that bone marrow transplants aren't safe, since your body can reject it, and thus you die...

I think atleast ;o

You should really think more; HIV kills. I'd much rather take the chance to be cured than be afraid of the possible complications that might occur and die sick after some time.

Do you even know a difference between HIV and AIDS? HIV can't kill :-S
And btw it's possible to live your whole life with HIV and nothing will happen... :-S
Visit a link I posted.

[Dusty]

Yeah I do know that one of them leads to another and the latter is fatal. Apparently I got mixed up with ze names but my point still stands.

[VijchtiDoodah]

except that bone marrow transplants aren't safe, since your body can reject it, and thus you die...

I think atleast ;o

Yep. The mortality rate is about one in ten. This: "All it takes is a bone marrow transplant..." was sarcasm.

[Neosano]

Yeah I do know that one of them leads to another and the latter is fatal. Apparently I got mixed up with ze names but my point still stands.

Nope, you don't know. HIV is a virus, AIDS is a syndrome. Usually AIDS is not caused by HIV.
AIDS is curable.

[Dusty]

OK

In that case I have been horribly misinformed and am now much wiser than I was five hours ago. The finest part, however, is that I am both AIDS and HIV free.

[echo_trail]

Does it matter? Get the back on topic, guys!

[Neosano]

except that bone marrow transplants aren't safe, since your body can reject it, and thus you die...

I think atleast ;o

You should really think more; HIV kills. I'd much rather take the chance to be cured than be afraid of the possible complications that might occur and die sick after some time.

Well, not really. You'll live more 20+ years. If you wouldn't take any medicines HIV can go away.
That's in case if it exists.

But really I'd suggest to go and check if you have anything else. Candidiasis, Salmonellosis, HERPES, Lymphoma, cancer (only cervix one I guess, lol). That's only a part, is there a list of everything that can cause HIV positive test?

From: May 19, 2010, 04:31:12 pm

Does it matter? Get the back on topic, guys!

And what's the topic?
Allow to cure nonexistent virus or not?
Definitely not.

[echo_trail]

Oh, my bad. I thought the thread was on gene enhancement as a concept, with HIV not being a sub topic. Carry on, gents, though I doubt it'll take you anywhere.

[ds dude]

What we known for a fact is that we are moving forward, and through this progression I'm sure that a cure for AIDS, and HIV will come. Hell, they are already talking cancer by using nanobots, well, at least in progress that is.

Here is an article from 2005, and I'm sure they are perfected this method since.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4734507.stm

[dnmr]

What we known for a fact is that we are moving forward, and through this progression I'm sure that a cure for AIDS, and HIV will come. Hell, they are already talking cancer by using nanobots, well, at least in progress that is.

Here is an article from 2005, and I'm sure they are perfected this method since.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4734507.stm

umm.. not sure if you can classify nanotubes as nanobots Oo