The Origin of HIV/AIDS

[Doctor Fate]

It is an evil that lurks through our population. It is silent, and it is invisible, but we know it's there. It kills millions each year, and millions more are barely surviving the death sentence at present.

The thought of encountering it brings terror to the hearts of many. It is a ruthless and remorseless killer; its fearsome reputation is common knowledge throughout the world. Its name has become synonymous with fear itself.

It's AIDS. Or HIV. Almost the same thing... one leads to the other. And they are both as deadly as the bite of a rattlesnake.

But, not even a century ago, there was no such thing as HIV, or AIDS. Sexually transmitted diseases have always been around, but a hundred years ago, people were concerned about things like syphilis and gonorrhea (both of which, quite ironically, are now easily curable.)

HIV and AIDS... just didn't exist.

So, where exactly did it originate from? From my understanding, it seems that the disease just popped up out of the clear, blue sky sometime in the 80's and spread faster than a raging wildfire to the entire globe. I understand that most of the earliest cases of it were from Africa (go figure)... but so how did humans just suddenly start getting it out of nowhere? Didn't it only used to infect non-human primates? How did it find its way from monkeys to people?

And even better yet, how did it spread so damned fast?

Also... do you think that, if science doesn't hurry its brainy ass up and find a way to cure viruses soon, it could spell the end of humanity?

I just happen to be thinking about it today, since earlier my Dad was talking about how two people he went to high school with have now since died of AIDS.

[Sage]

HIV/AIDS is not evil. It's a disease. It has no sentience. Therefore, it has no moral affiliation. Let's not romanticize this.

[mathius]

most doctors say it came from african monkeys no offense intended for africa of course

[Sage]

most doctors say it came from african monkeys no offense intended for africa of course

What's to take offense to?

[2D]

most doctors say it came from african monkeys no offense intended for africa of course

IMPLYING THAT AFRICANS ARE MONKEYS!!!!!! YOU RACIST SOME OF A BIT- nahh man I don't care. But saying no offense kind of made it offensive.

[Dagenadriel]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Origin+of+AIDS

[The Batman]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Origin+of+AIDS

This is a debate and that website is not contributing to it so let's leave it out of it thanks..

[Doctor Fate]

HIV/AIDS is not evil. It's a disease. It has no sentience. Therefore, it has no moral affiliation. Let's not romanticize this.

It is still a killer in its own right...

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Origin+of+AIDS

Go away. I wanted a discussion about this and that contributes nothing to this discussion.

[Sage]

It is still a killer in its own right...

Falling from very tall heights is a killer too. Therefore, heights are evil.

[Mental]

I don't exactly know, but I've heard two (conspiracy) theories:

1. That it was deliberately created in some Government lab to wipe out the African and homosexual populations.

2. That there was a certain tribe/peoples in Africa that had sex with other primates.

I doubt both very much, but I really don't have a clue where the origins of HIV/AIDS come from. But you do know that some microbes do evolve too? It's probably that.

[chazzrox2]

Well most likely it was just a random chance mutation which made like idk a cold virus? have a couple extra plasmids or protein shells w/e and bish bash bosh i new disease... simple 9th grade evolutionary immune resistance if u ask me...

Plus. It is not "a killer" do not do what the media do and personificate it to make a point...its not even technically alive how can it be EVIL?

And science doesn't need to hurry up to wipe out the virus...it may be cruel but the most effective way is quarantine and destroy...id that means people? well say what 20 million to save 6 billion...i'd do it

[Kahn]

AIDS is the choice of the person who gets it. He or she has the disease so he or she should tell his or her partner or the partner should make sure first. Having AIDS is a the hosts choice. If he or she gets it, their fault.

Now don't get me wrong. The children who have it had no say in it, and it is wrong. It is sad to see a child with AIDS, and sometimes people can be very discriminatory towards a person with AIDS. It is sad. Kids have been not accepted into schools, camps, etc. because of it.

AIDS is a sad disease but the people who pass it on have a choice. It is sad, yet not evil.

[Sage]

AIDS is the choice of the person who gets it.

Well golly gee willickers, today's auch a nice, shiny day! I think I'm gonna go get AIDS.

[Kahn]

Well golly gee willickers, today's auch a nice, shiny day! I think I'm gonna go get AIDS.

Funny Tim. What I was saying is that the person should make sure he or she is having safe sex or for gods sake not sharing needles. But you know I guess you could go have fun getting AIDS from the whore down the street.

[Ryhanna]

Theres a conspiracy theory that the US government spread the disease to humans. It was supposed to get rid of the gays. Obviously if it's true the Homophobic government failed and are killing millions.

[INFERNO]

From the course I did last year involving the molecular biology of cancer (which HIV was part of), finding the origins is really not going to happen easily because of the way HIV reproduces. It's been shown to be closely related to other viruses (i.e. retroviruses) but it's not definite it evolved from those. It reproduces it a fast rate, however, it's messy and so it easily obtains mutations and is very fast to respond to pressures, such as modern-day treatment. It's also been shown some people have a high amount of resistance to HIV, however, Africans and Asians are hit pretty hard because they tend to lack this resistance: CCR5 allele, which is a mutation that arose possibly from the Bubonic Plague or another dominant pathogen.

Since it's a type of retrovirus, it's hard for the body to detect it because of its nature and how it replicates. This is where it gets ugly and complicated so I'll leave you with this link from Berkley: CLICKIE CLICK (http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/medicine_04).

[Sapphire]

The origin will never be known for certain.
The best we can do is learn what we can about it now, educate others and make sure everyone can keep themselves safe.Funny Tim. What I was saying is that the person should make sure he or she is having safe sex or for gods sake not sharing needles. But you know I guess you could go have fun getting AIDS from the whore down the street.
You don't have to be foolish to contract HIV (which is what you are implying). You just have to be unlucky. This is evident since in the UK a quarter of those with HIV are undiagnosed.

Being in a violent incident with someone who has HIV could lead to you getting it. Is there anyone to blame in that situation?
If you have been married for 5 years and decide you want a child but are unaware of your own HIV status, can anyone really be blamed for your partner contracting HIV?

[Ryhanna]

This is a bit off topic, i know but Inferno mention the Plague - I heard that swine flu and plague had morphed into one illness in.... Ukraine, a while ago - is that true or just some story to get the Swine Flu fear back into us?

[The Batman]

The origin will never be known for certain.
The best we can do is learn what we can about it now, educate others and make sure everyone can keep themselves safe.
You don't have to be foolish to contract HIV (which is what you are implying). You just have to be unlucky. This is evident since in the UK a quarter of those with HIV are undiagnosed.

Being in a violent incident with someone who has HIV could lead to you getting it. Is there anyone to blame in that situation?
If you have been married for 5 years and decide you want a child but are unaware of your own HIV status, can anyone really be blamed for your partner contracting HIV?

Also HIV use to be given during blood transfusions because the doctors didn't know that the other guy had it.

Still though you can prevent yourself from getting AIDS by taking the medication. My cousin started off with HIV but she didn't take her medicine and now she has AIDS.

[Sapphire]

Still though you can prevent yourself from getting AIDS by taking the medication. My cousin started off with HIV but she didn't take her medicine and now she has AIDS.
That's not 100% true.
The medications aren't a guarantee that you will never get AIDs since there are other factors that play a role. Illnesses other than HIV that weaken your immune system are an example of how someone who is taking their HIV medication can develop AIDs.