Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Gene Found In Black Death Survivors Stops HIV

Posted by Zonk on from the research-halted-at-politician's-request dept.

WindozeSux writes "According to research done by Dr. Stephen O'Brien, a mutated gene known as delta 32 found in Black Death survivor descendants, stops HIV in its tracks. In order to be immune both parents have to have the delta 32 gene. From the Article: 'In 1996, research showed that delta 32 prevents HIV from entering human cells and infecting the body. O'Brien thought this principle could be applied to the plague bacteria, which affects the body in a similar manner. To determine whether the Eyam plague survivors may have carried delta 32, O'Brien tested the DNA of their modern-day descendents...'"

3 of 477 comments (clear)

  1. This is an American discovery by TummyX · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    How can this be? It thought science in America was dead ...you know, with the fascist fundamentalist tyrant we have power who is worse than Saddam and Hitler combined??

    Tell me how to think slashdot!!!!

  2. Re:yes that's true by r00t · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Oh come on. Having sex is fine. Having sex with more than one other person, or with somebody who would do such a thing, is not fine.

    Never mind AIDS anyway; a kid deserves to have exactly 1 loving father and exactly 1 loving mother, married to each other and living in the same home with the kid. Screwing everybody you bump into is not compatible with that.

  3. Re:Probably as close as we'll get... by drsquare · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    But what about those who don't follow the marriage and/or monogomy line?

    Then when they get an STD, they'll realise that the people preaching abstinence and monogamy were actually right.