Where did HIV came from?What is The Origin of HIV and AIDS?What is the History of HIV and AIDS?
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There are
so many questions like this that puzzles all the common people, researchers and
scientists even today. There were so many theories that explain the origin and
history of HIV and AIDS. But yet not one is completely believed. The story of
origin of AIDS and where the HIV came from is a much conspiracy story.
Below given
are a mash up of several theories were given for giving an idea about the
various theories that talk about the origin of HIV and How HIV transformed.
Theories about the Origin
of HIV and AIDS – an Introduction:
Origin of
HIV and AIDS is one of the most controversial topics in scientific community.
Many
theories were proposed regarding the origin of HIV and AIDS, but none had
definitive and conclusive evidence.
It is now
generally accepted that HIV is related to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV).
HIV has very close resemblance to SIV. So multiple mutations in SIV might have
lead to HIV origin.
HIV-2 is
closely related to SIVsm which is SIV found in sooty mangabay(white collared
monkey)which is indigenous to West Africa.
But
scientists felt difficult are relating HIV-1 to SIV as close as HIV-2 with
SIVsm. Closest resemblance to HIV-1 is SIVcpz.
The OPV – AIDS theory:
This was
one of the most controversial theories and many believe even now .The
“OPV/AIDS hypothesis” suggests that the OPV used in this campaign was produced
in chimpanzee kidney epithelial cell cultures rather than in monkey kidney cell
cultures, as stated by H. Koprowski and co-workers, who produced the OPV. Koprowski
was a serious competitor for Sabin in research for OPV. (But finally
Sabin’s OPV was found to be superior than Koprowski.)
Edward Hooper author of “The River” suggests that HIV can be
traced back to the testing campaigns of Oral polio vaccine Chat. The vaccine
was given to over million people in Congo, Ruanda and Urundi in late 1950s.
Hooper claims that Chat vaccine(OPV) created by Koprowski were cultivated in
kidney cells of local chimps infected with SIVcmz. This resulted in
contamination of vaccine with SIVcmz and large number of people subsequently
infected with HIV-1.
The absence of detectable SIVcpz or chimpanzee DNA in
archival stocks of OPV2,3 finally lay the OPV/AIDS theory to rest.
The Hunter theory of HIV and AIDS:
"Cut hunter" or "natural transfer"
theory, which is probably the most accepted idea today.
According this theory SIV is occasionally transmitted to
hunters via blood to blood contact with infected blood.
The timing of the widespread emergences of HIV-1 and HIV-2
in the middle part of the 20th century is attributed to urbanization and
regional commerce, which create conditions ideal for spreading a sexually
transmitted disease.
The contaminated needle theory of HIV and AIDS:
In 1950 the disposable plastic syringes were introduced
worldwide, making guaranteed use of sterile needles possible. But the syringes
were not so cheap for someone who were outside the cash economy at that time.
So the unsterilized syringes were used again and again, spreading the virus.
During replication the series of mutations accumulated in time (chance
mutations) and eventually became HIV.
HIV and The Heart of Darkness theory:
In between 1850 to world war –II equatorial Africa and Belgian Congo were under the harsh colonial
Belgian rule. Forced labour camps of thousands had poor sanitation, poor diet
and exhausting labour demands. It was a well suited environment for
establishment of immune-deficiency disease.
This theory believes that the labourers were routinely
inoculated against smallpox and dysentery with repeated usage of same syringes.
And to appease the labourers, in some of the camps sex worker were officially
encouraged. Such circumstances could have easily promoted the evolution of HIV
from SIVcpz.
The conspiracy theory of HIV and AIDS:
This theory looks like a fiction movie script. But still
some believe this HIV is a man made virus. Some believe that HIV is originated
in US military hospital under “special cancer virus programme”, possibly with
the help of CIA. They claim this was developed to wipe out large number of
black people and homosexuals from society. But still no evidence present till
date.
South African President Thabo Mbeki once touted the theory,
disputing scientific claims that the virus originated in Africa and accusing
the U.S. government of manufacturing the disease in military labs. When she won
the Nobel Peace Prize, Kenyan ecologist Wangari Maathai used the international
spotlight to support that theory as well.
CONCLUSION:
Any of the above theories didn’t really explain completely
about the origin of HIV and AIDS. Some say why should we bother as the damage
had already been done. Yes, the
scientist should be more focussed on research for finding a solution for HIV
cure than for tracing origin of HIV.
If you are interested more in knowing about these theories
reader is advised to look into the below links.
References:
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