Origin of HIV

The origin of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the retrovirus that is the main cause of AIDS, has been a puzzle ever since it was discovered by Barré-Sinoussi and her colleagues in 1983. A chimpanzee named Marilyn that died years ago has helped scientists solve the lingering mystery of the origin of AIDS. Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham said that they have conclusive evidence that the HIV virus has spread on at …showed first 75 words of 891 total…

…showed last 75 words of 891 total…chimpanzees in the wild to find out why these animals don't get sick, information that may help us better protect humans from developing AIDS," he said. This new discovery could also lead to new tests that would discover new viruses in the biosphere before they are allowed to infect humans. One can only imagine the lives and suffering that would have been prevented if the HIV were discovered before it was allowed to infect humans.