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Researchers Discover Gene That Blocks HIV
stemceller writes to tell us that a team of researchers at the University of Alberta claims to have discovered a gene capable of blocking HIV thereby preventing the onset of full blown AIDS. "Stephen Barr, a molecular virologist in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, says his team has identified a gene called TRIM22 that can block HIV infection in a cell culture by preventing the assembly of the virus. 'When we put this gene in cells, it prevents the assembly of the HIV virus," said Barr, a postdoctoral fellow. "This means the virus cannot get out of the cells to infect other cells, thereby blocking the spread of the virus.'"
I say we just create other "products" that make less dramatic changes to your cell structure and immune system that prepare your body for the heavy duty HIV-blocker bomb. 10 easy trips to the doctor, $129.99. Maybe they can throw in some other cell altering stuff along the way, where's my immortality?
A B A C A B B
Assume I can afford this tech.
That almost certainly means I'm not living in central Africa, so AIDS is pretty damn unlikely. It also probably means that I'm well-off even for a person in my own country, reducing the risk of AIDS even more. A zillion other things are more likely to doom my child. (assasination, kidnapping, extreme sports, crashed Ferrari, crashed yacht, etc.)
Now, what would I like...
Let's add a set of hormone-triggered genes to give the boys big muscles and a few inches extra height, while giving the girls great big tits. (must be hormone-triggered because it gets passed on) Let's add a few brain-related genes to make the kids smart. I want the average IQ to be 180. Don't forget the part of the brain that relates to social ability, because I want my kid to have a chance at political office and corporate ladder climbing. Let me choose attractive noses.
All of that is worth more to my child.